Osteogenic devices

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are (1) osteogenic devices comprising a matrix containing substantially pure natural-sourced mammalian osteogenic protein; (2) DNA and amino acid sequences for novel polypeptide chains useful as subunits of dimeric osteogenic proteins; (3) vectors carrying sequences encoding these novel polypeptide chains and host cells transfected with these vectors; (4) methods of producing these polypeptide chains using recombinant DNA technology; (5) antibodies specific for these novel polypeptide chains; (6) osteogenic devices comprising these recombinantly produced proteins in association with an appropriate carrier matrix; and (7) methods of using the osteogenic devices to mimic the natural course of endochondral bone formation in mammals.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/148,925, filedSep. 4, 1998, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.08/449,699, filed May 24, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,441, which is adivisional of co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 08/147,023, filed Nov. 1, 1993,now U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,845, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No.07/841,646, filed Feb. 21, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,683, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Serial Nos.: 1) Ser. No.07/827,052, filed Jan. 28, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,302 and whichis a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 07/179,406, filed Apr. 8, 1988, nowU.S. Pat. No. 4,968,590; 2) Ser. No. 07/579,865, filed Sep. 7, 1990, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,108,753 and which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No.07/179,406; 3) Ser. No. 07/621,849, filed Dec. 4, 1990, now abandoned,that was a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 07/232,630, filed Aug. 15, 1988,now abandoned, that was a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/179,406;4) Ser. No. 07/621,988, filed Dec. 4, 1990, abandoned in favor of Ser.No. 07/995,345, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,494 and which was a divisionalof Ser. No. 07/315,342 filed Feb. 23, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,691and which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/232,630; 5) Ser. No.07/810,560, filed Dec. 20, 1991, now abandoned, that was a continuationof Ser. No. 07/660,162, filed Feb. 22, 1991, now abandoned, that was acontinuation of Ser. No. 07/422,699, filed Oct. 17, 1989, now abandoned,that was a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/315,342; 6) Ser. No.07/569,920, filed Aug. 20, 1990, now abandoned, that was acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/422,699 and Ser. No. 07/483,913, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,171,574 and which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.07/422,613, filed Oct. 17, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,526 and whichis a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/315,342; 7) Ser. No.07/600,024, filed Oct. 18, 1990, now abandoned, that was acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/569,920; 8) Ser. No. 07/599,543,filed Oct. 18, 1990, now abandoned, that was a continuation-in-part ofSer. No. 07/569,920; 9) Ser. No. 07/616,374, filed Nov. 21, 1990, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,162,114, and which is a divisional of Ser. No.07/422,623; and 10) Ser. No. 07/483,913, filed Feb. 22, 1990, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,171,574, the disclosures of which are incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to osteogenic devices, to DNA sequences encodingproteins which can induce new bone formation in mammals, and to methodsfor the production of these proteins in mammalian cells usingrecombinant DNA techniques, including host cells capable of expressingthese sequences. The invention also relates to the proteins expressedfrom these DNA sequences, to antibodies capable of binding specificallyto these proteins, and to bone and cartilage repair procedures using theosteogenic devices. The invention further relates to matrix materialsuseful for allogenic or xenogenic implants and which act as a carrier ofthe osteogenic protein to induce new bone formation in mammals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mammalian bone tissue is known to contain one or more proteinaceousmaterials, presumably active during growth and natural bone healing,which can induce a developmental cascade of cellular events resulting inendochondral bone formation. This active factor (or factors) hasvariously been referred to in the literature as bone morphogenetic ormorphogenic protein, bone inductive protein, osteogenic protein,osteogenin, or osteoinductive protein.

The developmental cascade of bone differentiation consists ofrecruitment and proliferation of mesenchymal cells, differentiation ofprogenitor cells, calcification of cartilage, vascular invasion, boneformation, remodeling, and finally marrow differentiation (Reddi (1981)Collagen Rel. Res. 1:209-226).

Though the precise mechanisms underlying these phenotypictransformations are unclear, it has been shown that the naturalendochondral bone differentiation activity of bone matrix can bedissociatively extracted and reconstituted with inactive residualcollagenous matrix to restore full bone induction activity (Sampath andReddi (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:7599-7603). This provides anexperimental method for assaying protein extracts for their ability toinduce endochondral bone in vivo. Several species of mammals produceclosely related protein as demonstrated by the ability of cross speciesimplants to induce bone formation (Sampath and Reddi (1983) Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 80:6591-6595).

The potential utility of these proteins has been recognized widely. Itis contemplated that the availability of the protein would revolutionizeorthopedic medicine, certain types of plastic surgery, dental andvarious periodontal and craniofacial reconstructive procedures.

The observed properties of these protein fractions have induced anintense research effort in several laboratories directed to isolatingand identifying the pure factor or factors responsible for osteogenicactivity. The current state of the art of purification of osteogenicprotein from mammalian bone is disclosed by Sampath et al. (1987) Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:7109-7113. Urist et al. (1983) Proc. Soc. Exp.Biol. Med. 173:194-199 disclose a human osteogenic protein fractionwhich was extracted from demineralized cortical bone by means of acalcium chloride-urea inorganic-organic solvent mixture, and retrievedby differential precipitation in guanidine-hydrochloride and preparativegel electropharesis. The authors report that the protein fraction has anamino acid composition of an acidic polypeptide and a molecular weightin a range of 17-18 kDa. This material was said to be distinct from aprotein called “bone derived growth factor” disclosed by Canalis et al.(1980 Science 210:1021-1023, and by Farley et al. 11982) Biochem21:3508-3513.

Urist et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:371-375 disclose abovine bone morphogenetic protein extract having the properties of anacidic polypeptide and a molecular weight of approximately 18 kDa. Theauthors reported that the protein was present in a fraction separated byhydroxyapatite chromatography, and that it induced bone formation inmouse hindquarter muscle and bone regeneration in trephine defects inrat and dog skulls. Their method of obtaining the extract from boneresults in ill-defined and impure preparations.

European Patent Application Serial No. 148,155, published Oct. 7, 1985,purports to disclose osteogenic proteins derived from bovine, porcine,and human origin. One of the proteins, designated by the inventors as aP3 protein having a molecular weight of 22-24 kDa, is said to have beenpurified to an essentially homogeneous state. This material is reportedto induce bone formation when implanted into animals.

International Application No. PCT/087/01537, published Jan. 14, 1988(Int. Pub. No. WO88/00205), discloses an impure fraction from bovinebone which has bone induction qualities. The named applicants alsodisclose putative “bone inductive factors” produced by recombinant DNAtechniques. Four DNA sequences were retrieved from human or bovinegenomic or cDNA libraries and expressed in recombinant host cells. Whilethe applicants stated that the expressed proteins may be bonemorphogenic proteins, bone induction was not demonstrated. This samegroup reported subsequently ((1988) Science 242:1528-1534) that three ofthe four factors induce cartilage formation, and postulate that boneformation activity “is due to a mixture of regulatory molecules” andthat “bone formation is most likely controlled . . . by the interactionof these molecules.” Again, no bone induction was attributed to theproducts of expression of the cDNAs. See also Urist et al., EPO0,212,474 entitled “Bone Morphogenic Agents”.

Wang et al. (1988) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 85: 9484-9488, disclose thepartial purification of a bovine bone morphogenetic protein fromguanidine extracts of demineralized bone having cartilage and boneformation activity as a basic protein corresponding to a molecularweight of 30 kDa determined from gel elution. Separation of the 30 kDafraction yielded proteins of 30, 18 and 16 kDa which, upon separation,were inactive. In view of this result, the authors acknowledged that theexact identity of the active material had not been determined.

Wang et al. (1990) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 2220-2224 describe theexpression and partial purification of one of the cDNA sequencesdescribed in PCT 87/01537. Consistent cartilage and/or bone formationwith their protein requires a minimum of 600 ng of 50% pure material.

International Application No. PCT/89/04458 published Apr. 19, 1990 (Int.Pub. No. WO90/003733), describes the purification and analysis of afamily of osteogenic factors called “P3 OF 31-34”. The protein familycontains at least four proteins, which are characterized by peptidefragment sequences. The impure mixture P3 OF 31-34 is assayed forosteogenic activity. The activity of the individual proteins is neitherassessed nor discussed.

It also has been found that successful implantation of the osteogenicfactors for endochondral bone formation requires association of theproteins with a suitable carrier material capable of maintaining theproteins at an in vivo site of application. The carrier should bebiocompatible, in vivo biodegradable and porous enough to allow cellinfiltration. The insoluble collagen particles remaining after guanidineextraction and delipidation of pulverized bone generally have been foundeffective in allogenic implants in some species. However, studies haveshown that while osteoinductive proteins are useful cross species, thecollagenous bone matrix generally used for inducing endochondral boneformation is species-specific (Sampath and Reddi (1983) Proc. Nat. Acad.Sci. USA 80: 6591-6594). Demineralized, delipidated, extracted xenogenicbone matrix carriers implanted in vivo invariably fail to induceosteogenesis, presumably due to inhibitory or immunogenic components inthe bone matrix. Even the use of allogenic bone matrix in osteogenicdevices may not be sufficient for osteoinductive bone formation in manyspecies. For example, allogenic, subcutaneous implants of demineralized,delipidated monkey bone matrix is reported not to induce bone formationin the monkey. (Asperberg et al. (1988) J. Bone Joint Surg. (Br) 70-B:625-627).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,350, issued Jan. 7, 1986, discloses the use oftrypsinized bovine bone matrix as a xenogenic matrix to effectosteogenic activity when implanted with extracted, partially purifiedbone-inducing protein preparations. Bone formation is said to requirethe presence of at least 5%, and preferably at least 10%, non-fibrillarcollagen. The named inventors claim that removal of telopeptides whichare responsible in part for the immunogenicity of collagen preparationsis more suitable for xenogenic implants.

European Patent Application Serial No. 309,241, published Mar. 29, 1989,discloses a device for inducing endochondral bone formation comprisingan osteogenic protein preparation, and a matrix carrier comprising60-98% of either mineral component or bone collagen powder and 2-40%atelopeptide hypoimmunogenic collagen.

Deatherage et al. (1987) Collagen Rel. Res. 7: 2225-2231, purport todisclose an apparently xenogenic implantable device comprising a bovinebone matrix extract that has been minimally purified by a one-step ionexchange column and reconstituted, highly purified human Type-Iplacental collagen.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,394,370, issued Jul. 19, 1983, describes a matrix ofreconstituted collagen purportedly useful in xenogenic implants. Thecollagen fibers are treated enzymatically to remove potentiallyimmunogenic telopeptides (also the primary source of interfibrilcrosslinks) and are dissolved to remove associated non-collagencomponents. The matrix is formulated by dispersing the reconstitutedcollagen in acetic acid to form a disordered matrix of elementarycollagen molecules that is then mixed with osteogenic factor andlyophilized to form a “semi-rigid foam or sponge” that is preferablycrosslinked. The formulated matrix is not tested in vivo.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,128, issued Oct. 23, 1979, describes a method fordegrading and regenerating bone-like material of reduced immunogenicity,said to be useful cross-species. Demineralized bone particles aretreated with a swelling agent to dissolve any associatedmucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans) and the collagen fiberssubsequently dissolved to form a homogenous colloidal solution. A gel ofreconstituted fibers then can be formed using physiologically inertmucopolysaccharides and an electrolyte to aid in fibril formation.

It is an object of this invention to provide osteogenic devicescomprising matrices containing dispersed osteogenic protein, purifiedfrom naturally-sourced material or produced from recombinant DNA, andcapable of bone induction in allogenic and xenogenic implants. Anotherobject is to provide novel polypeptide chains useful as subunits ofdimeric osteogenic proteins, as well as DNA sequences encoding thesepolypeptide chains and methods for their production using recombinantDNA techniques. Still another object is to provide recombinantosteogenic proteins expressed from procaryotic or eucaryotic cells,preferably mammalian cells, and capable of inducing endochondral boneformation in mammals, including humans, and to provide methods for theirproduction, including host cells capable of producing these proteins.Still another object is to provide antibodies capable of bindingspecifically to the proteins of this invention. Yet another object is toprovide a biocompatible, in vivo biodegradable matrix capable, incombination with an osteoinductive protein, of producing endochondralbone formation in mammals, including humans.

These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparentfrom the description, drawings, and claims which follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides osteogenic proteins and devices which, whenimplanted in a mammalian body, can induce at the locus of the implantthe full developmental cascade of endochondral bone formation includingvascularization, mineralization, and bone marrow differentiation. Thedevices comprise a carrier material, referred to herein as a matrix,having the characteristics disclosed below, and containing dispersedsubstantially pure osteogenic protein either purified from naturallysourced material or produced using recombinant DNA techniques.Recombinantly produced osteogenic protein may be expressed fromprocaryotic or eucaryotic cells, most preferably mammalian cells. Asused herein “substantially pure” means substantially free of othercontaminating proteins having no endochondral bone formation activity.

The substantially pure osteogenic protein may include forms havingvarying glycosylation patterns, a family of related proteins havingregions of amino acid sequence homology, and active truncated or mutatedforms of native proteins, no matter how derived.

Preferred embodiments of the recombinant protein dispersed in the matrixdisclosed herein closely mimic the physiological activity of native formprotein extracted from natural sources and reconstituted in allogenicdemineralized, guanidine-extracted bone powder matrix material. Thepreferred proteins have a specific activity far higher than anybiosynthetic material heretofore reported, an activity which, within thelimits of precision of the activity assay, appears essentially identicalto the substantially pure material produced as set forth in U.S. Pat.No. 4,968,590. Thus, this application discloses how to make anduse-osteogenic devices which induce the full developmental cascade ofendochondral bone formation essentially as it occurs in natural bonehealing.

A key to these developments was the elucidation of amino acid sequenceand structure data of native osteogenic protein “OP”. A protocol wasdeveloped which results in retrieval of active, substantially pureosteogenic protein from mammalian bone (e.g., bovine or human) having ahalf-maximum bone forming activity of about 0.8 to 1.0 ng per mg ofimplant matrix, as compared to implanted rat demineralized bone matrix(see U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,590). The availability of the material enabledthe inventors to elucidate all structural details of the proteinnecessary to achieve bone formation. Knowledge of the protein's aminoacid sequence and other structural features enabled the identificationand cloning of genes encoding native osteogenic proteins.

The osteogenic protein in its mature native form is a glycosylated dimerand has an apparent molecular weight of about 30 kDa as determined bySDS-PAGE. When reduced, the 30 kDa protein gives rise to twoglycosylated polypeptide chains (subunits) having apparent molecularweights of about 16 kDa and 18 kDa. In the reduced state, the 30 kDaprotein has no detectable osteogenic activity. The unglycosylatedprotein, which has osteogenic activity, has an apparent molecular weightof about 27 kDa. When reduced, the 27 kDa protein gives rise to twounglycosylated polypeptides having molecular weights of about 14 kDa to16 kDa.

Naturally-sourced osteogenic protein derived from bovine bone, hereinreferred to as “boP” and in related applications as “BOP”, is furthercharacterized by the approximate amino acid composition set forth below:Amino acid Rel. no. Amino acid Rel. no. residue res./molec. residueres./molec. Asp/Asn 22 Tyr 11 Glu/Gln 24 Val 14 Ser 24 Met 3 Gly 29 Cys16 His 5 Ile 15 Arg 13 Leu 15 Thr 11 Pro 14 Ala 18 Phe 7 Lys 12 Trp ND

Analysis of digestion fragments from naturally-sourced material purifiedfrom bone indicates that the substantially pure material isolated frombone contains the following amino acid sequences:

-   -   (1)        Ser-Phe-Asp-Ala-Tyr-Tyr-Cys-Ser-Gly-Ala-Cys-Gln-Phe-Pro-Met-Pro-Lys;    -   (2%) Ser-Leu-Lys-Pro-Ser-Asn-Tyr-Ala-Thr-Ile-Gln Ser-Ile-Val;    -   (3)        Ala-Cys-Cys-Val-Pro-Thr-Glu-Leu-Ser-Ala-Ile-Ser-Met-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Glu-Asn-Glu-Lys;    -   (4) Met-Ser-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Leu-Phe-Phe-Asp-Glu-Asn-Lys;    -   (5) Val-Gly-Val-Val-Pro-Gly-Ile-Pro-Glu-Pr Cys-Val-Pro-Glu;    -   (6) Val-Asp-Phe-Ala-Asp-Ile-Gly    -   (7) Val-Pro-Lys-Pro; and    -   (8) Ala-Pro-Thr.

A consensus DNA gene sequence based in part on these partial amino acidsequence data and on observed homologies with structurally related genesreported in the literature (or the sequences they encode), having apresumed or demonstrated unrelated developmental function, was used as aprobe for identifying and isolating genes encoding osteogenic proteinsfrom genomic and cDNA libraries. The consensus sequence probe enabledisolation of a previously unidentified DNA sequence from human genomicand cDNA libraries, portions of which, when appropriately cleaved andligated, encode a protein comprising a region capable of inducingendochondral bone formation when properly modified, incorporated in asuitable matrix, and implanted as disclosed herein. The predicted aminoacid sequence of the encoded protein includes sequences identified inpeptide fragments obtained from the substantially pure osteogenicprotein (see infra and Kuber Sampath et al. (1990) J. Biol. Chem.265:13198-13205.) The protein has been expressed from the full lengthcDNA sequence (referred to herein as “hOP1”), as well as from varioustruncated DNAs and fusion constructs in both procaryotes (e.g., E. coli)and eucaryotes (various mammalian cells and cell lines) and shown toexhibit osteogenic activity. The OP1 protein in combination with BMP2Balso is active (see infra).

Table I lists the various species of the hOP1 protein identified todate, including their expression sources and nomenclature and SequenceListing references. In its native form, hOP1 expression yields animmature translation product (“hOP1-PP”, where “PP” refers to “preproform”) of about 400 amino acids that subsequently is processed to yielda mature sequence of 139 amino acids (“OP1-18Ser”.) The active region(functional domain) of the protein includes the C-terminal 97 aminoacids of the OP1 sequence (“OPS”). A longer active sequence is OP7(comprising the C-terminal 102 amino acids).

The consensus sequence probe also retrieved human DNA sequencesidentified in PCT/087/01537, referenced above, designated therein asBMP2 (Class I and II), and BMP3. The inventors herein discovered thatcertain subparts of the sequences designated in PCT/087/01537 as BMP-2Class I and BMP-2 Class II, also referred to in the literature as BMP2and BMP4, respectively, when properly assembled, encode proteins(referred to herein as “CBMP2A” and “CBMP2B,” respectively) which havetrue osteogenic activity, i.e., induce the full cascade of eventsleading to endochondral bone formation when properly folded, dimerized,and implanted in a mammal. Seq. Listing ID Nos. 4 and 6 disclose thecDNA sequences and encoded “prepro” forms of CBMP2A and CBMP2B,respectively. (Nomenclature note: as used herein, “CBMP2(a)” and“CBMP2(b)” refer to the DNA sequence; “CBMP2A” and “CBMP2B” refer to theencoded proteins.) The functional domain (active region) of the CBMP2proteins comprises essentially amino acid residues 301-396 of Seq. IDNo. 4 (designated “CBMP2AS”) and residues 313-408 of ID No. 6(designated “CBMP2BS”). Longer active regions are defined by residues296-396 of Seq. ID No. 4 (“CBMP2AL”) and residues 308-408 of Seq. ID No.6 (“CBMP2BL”). The CBMP2 proteins share approximately 58-60% amino acidsequence homology with OP1 in the active region (e.g., with OPS or OP7).

As indicated above, the natural-sourced osteogenic protein is aglycosylated dimer comprising an 18 kDa subunit and a 16 kDa subunit.Protein sequencing data indicate that the larger of the two subunits ismature OP1 protein, the other is mature CBMP2A or CBMP2B. CBMP2B differsfrom CBMP2A at only five residues in the active region. Recombinantversions of both CBMP2A and CBMP2B are active cross species, either ashomodimers or in combination with OP1 proteins. The recombinant dataalso indicates that the osteoinductive effect is not dependent on thepresence of the entire mature form amino acid sequences of eithersubunit. Properly folded dimers comprising minimal structure, as shortas 96 amino acids, are active. Furthermore, analogs of the activeregion, e.g., non-native forms never before known in nature, designedbased on the observed homologies and known structure and properties ofthe native protein are capable of inducing bone formation. See, forexample, COP5 and COP7 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,691. As far as applicantsare aware, the biosynthetic constructs disclosed therein constitute thefirst instance of the design of a functional, active protein withoutpreexisting knowledge of the active region of a native form nucleotideor amino acid sequence.

Further probing of mammalian cDNA libraries with sequences specific tohOP1 also have identified a sequence in mouse sharing almost completeidentity with the mature hOP1 amino acid sequence (approximately 98%homology with OP1-18). Additional probing in both human and mouse cDNAand genomic libraries also has identified OP1-like sequences hereinreferred to as “OP2” (“hOP2” or “mOP2”). The OP2 proteins sharesignificant amino acid sequence homology, approximately 74%, with theactive region of the OP1 proteins (e.g., OP7), and less homology withthe intact mature form (e.g., OP1-18Ser-58% amino acid homology). TableI lists the OP1 and OP2 species identified to date.

The amino acid sequence of the osteogenic proteins disclosed hereinshare significant homology with various regulatory proteins on which theconsensus probe was modeled. In particular, the proteins sharesignificant homology in their C-terminal sequences, which comprise theactive region of the osteogenic proteins. (Compare, for example, OP7with DPP from Drosophila and Vgl from Xenopus. See, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,011,691). In addition, these proteins share a conserved sixor seven cysteine skeleton in this region (e.g., the linear arrangementof these C-terminal cysteine residues is conserved in the differentproteins.) See, for example, OP7, whose sequence defines the sevencysteine skeleton, or OPS, whose sequence defines the six cysteineskeleton. In addition, the OP2 proteins contain an additional cysteineresidue within this region. TABLE I OP1, OP2 NOMENCLATURE hOP1 DNAsequence encoding human OP1 protein (Seq. ID No. 1 or 3). Also referredto in related applications as “OP1,” “hOP-1” and “OP-1”. OP1 Refersgenerically to the family of osteogenically active proteins produced byexpression of part or all of the hOP1 gene. Also referred to in relatedapplications as “OPI” and “OP-1”. hOP1-PP Amino acid sequence of humanOP1 protein (prepro form), Seq. ID No. 1, residues 1-431. Also referredto in related applications as “OP1-PP” and “OPP”. OP1-18Ser Amino acidsequence of mature human OP1 protein, Seq. ID No. 1, residues 293-431.N-terminal amino acid is serine. Originally identified as migrating at18 kDa on SDS-PAGE in COS cells. Depending on protein glycosylationpattern in different host cells, also migrates at 23 kDa, 19 kDa and 17kDa on SDS-PAGE. Also referred to in related applications as “OP1-18.”OPS Human OP1 protein species defining the conserved 6 cysteine skeletonin the active region (97 amino acids, Seq. ID No. 1, residues 335-431.)“S” stands for “short”. OP7 Human OP1 protein species defining theconserved 7 cysteine skeleton in the active region (102 amino acids,Seq. ID No. 1, residues 330-431). OP1-16Ser N-terminally truncatedmature human OP1 protein species. (Seq. ID No. 1, residues 300-431).N-terminal amino acid is serine; protein migrates at 16 kDa or 15 kDa onSDS-PAGE, depending on glycosylation pattern. Also referred to inrelated applications as “OP-16S.” OP1-16Leu N-terminally truncatedmature human OP1 protein species, Seq. ID No. 1, residues 313-431.N-terminal amino acid is leucine; protein migrates at 16 or 15 kDa onSDS-PAGE, depending on glycosylation pattern. Also referred to inrelated applications as “OP-16L.” OP1-16Met N-terminally truncatedmature human OP1 protein species, Seq. ID No. 1, residues 315-431.N-terminal amino acid is methionine; protein migrates at 16 or 15 kDa onSDS-PAGE, depending on glycosylation pattern. Also referred to inrelated applications as “OP-16M.” OP1-16Ala N-terminally truncatedmature human OP1 protein species, Seq. ID No. 1, residues 316-431.N-terminal amino acid is alanine, protein migrates at 16 or 15 kDa onSDS-PAGE, depending on glycosylation pattern. Also referred to inrelated applications as “OP-16A.” OP1-16Val N-terminally truncatedmature human OP1 protein species, Seq. ID No. 1, residues 318-431.N-terminal amino acid is valine; protein migrates at 16 or 15 kDa onSDS-PAGE, depending on glycosylation pattern. Also referred to inrelated applications as “OP-16V.” mOP1 DNA encoding mouse OP1 protein,Seq. ID No. 24. Also referred to in related applications as “mOP-1”.mOP1-PP Prepro form of mouse protein, Seq. ID No. 24, residues 1-430.Also referred to in related applications as “mOP-1-PP.” mOP1-Ser Maturemouse OP1 protein species (Seq. ID No. 24, residues 292-430). N-terminalamino acid is serine. Also referred to in related applications as “mOP1”and “mOP-1”. mOP2 DNA encoding mouse OP2 protein, Seq. ID No. 26. Alsoreferred to in related applications as “mOP-2”. mOP2-PP Prepro form ofmOP2 protein, Seq. ID No. 26, residues 1-399. Also referred to inrelated applications as “mOP-2-PP” mOP2-Ala Mature mouse OP2 protein,Seq. ID No. 26, residues 261-399. N-terminal amino acid is alanine. Alsoreferred to in related applications as “mOP2” and “mOP-2”. hOP2 DNAencoding human OP2 protein, Seq. ID No. 28. Also referred to in relatedapplications as “hOP-2”. hOP2-PP Prepro form of human OP2 protein, Seq.ID No. 28, res. 1-402). Also referred to in related applications as“hOP-2-PP”. hOP2-Ala Possible mature human OP2 protein species: Seq. IDNo. 28, residues 264-402. Also referred to in related applications as“hOP-2”. hOP2-Pro Possible mature human OP2 protein species: Seq. ID NO.28, residues 267-402. N-terminal amino acid is proline. Also referred toin related applications as “hOP-2P.” hOP2-Arg Possible mature human OP2protein species: Seq. ID No. 28, res. 270-402. N-terminal amino acid isarginine. Also referred to in related applications as “hOP-2R”. hOP2-SerPossible mature, human OP2 protein species: Seq. ID No. 28, res.243-402. N-terminal amino acid is serine. Also referred to in relatedapplications as “hOP-2S.”

The invention thus provides recombinant dimeric proteins comprising anyof the polypeptide chains described above, as well as allelic variants,and naturally-occurring or biosynthetic mutants thereof, and osteogenicdevices comprising any of these proteins. In addition, the invention isnot limited to these specific constructs. Thus, the osteogenic proteinsof this invention comprising any of these polypeptide chains may includeforms having varying glycosylation patterns, varying N-termini, a familyof related proteins having regions of amino acid sequence homology whichmay be naturally occurring or biosynthetically derived, and activetruncated or mutated forms of the native amino acid sequence, producedby expression of recombinant DNA in procaryotic or eucaryotic hostcells. Active sequences useful in an osteogenic device of this inventionare envisioned to include osteogenic proteins having greater than 60%identity, preferably greater than 65% identity, with the amino acidsequence of OPS. This family of proteins includes longer forms of agiven protein, as well as allelic variants and biosynthetic mutants,including addition and deletion mutants, such as those which may alterthe conserved C-terminal cysteine skeleton, provided that the alterationstill allows the protein to form a dimeric species having a conformationcapable of inducing bone formation in a mammal when implanted in themammal in association with a matrix. Particularly envisioned within thefamily of related proteins are those proteins exhibiting osteogenicactivity and wherein the amino acid changes from the OPS sequenceinclude-conservative changes, e.g., those as defined by Dayoff, et al.,Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure; vol. 5, Supp. 3, pp. 345-362,(M. O. Dayoff, ed. Nat'l Biomed. Research Fdn., Washington, D.C., 1979.)

The novel polypeptide chains and the osteogenic proteins they comprisecan be expressed from intact or truncated cDNA or from synthetic DNAs inprocaryotic or eucaryotic host cells, and then purified, cleaved,refolded, dimerized, and implanted in experimental animals. Useful hostcells include E. coli, Saccharomyces, the insect/baculovirus cellsystem, myeloma cells and mammalian cells. Currently preferredprocaryotic host cells include E. coli. Currently preferred eucaryotichost cells include mammalian cells, such as chinese hamster ovary (CHO)cells, or simian kidney cells (e.g., COS or BSC cells.) Thus, in view ofthis disclosure, skilled genetic engineers can isolate genes from cDNAor genomic libraries which encode appropriate amino acid sequences,modify existing sequences, or construct DNAs from oligonucleotides andthen can express them in various types of procaryotic or eucaryotic hostcells to produce large quantities of active proteins capable of inducingbone formation in mammals, including humans.

In one preferred aspect, the invention comprises dimeric osteogenicproteins and osteogenic devices containing these proteins, wherein theproteins comprise a polypeptide chain having an amino acid sequencesufficiently duplicative of the encoded amino acid sequence of SequenceID No. 1 (hOP1) or 28 (hOP2) such that a dimeric protein comprising thispolypeptide chain has a conformation capable of inducing endochondralbone formation when implanted in a mammal in association with a matrix.As used herein, the term “sufficiently duplicative” is understood toencompass all proteins capable of inducing endochondral bone formationwhen implanted in a mammal in association with a matrix and whose aminoacid sequence comprises at least the conserved six cysteine skeleton andshares greater than 60% amino acid sequence identity in its activeregion with OPS.

In another preferred aspect, the invention comprises osteogenic proteinscomprising species of polypeptide chains having the generic amino acidsequence herein referred to as “OPX” which accommodates the homologiesbetween the various identified species of these osteogenic OP1 and OP2proteins, and which is described by the amino acid sequence of SequenceID No. 30.

The identification of mOP2 and hOP2 represents the discovery ofosteogenic proteins having an additional cysteine residue in theiractive region in addition to the conserved six cysteine skeleton definedby OPS, or the conserved seven cysteine skeleton defined by OP7. Thus,in another aspect, the invention comprises species of polypeptide chainsherein referred to as “OPX-7C”, comprising the conserved six cysteineskeleton plus the additional cysteine residue identified in the OP2proteins, and “OPX-8C”, comprising the conserved seven cysteine skeletonplus the additional cysteine residue identified in the OP2 proteins. TheOPX-7C and OPX-8C amino acid sequences are described in Seq. ID Nos. 31and 32, respectively. Each Xaa in Seq. ID Nos. 31 and 32 independentlyrepresents one of the 20 naturally occurring L-isomer, ∝-amino acids ora derivative thereof which, together with the determined cysteineresidues, define a polypeptide chain such that dimeric osteogenicproteins comprising this polypeptide chain have a conformation capableof inducing endochondral bone formation when implanted in a mammal inassociation with a matrix.

In still another preferred aspect, the invention comprises nucleic acidsand the osteogenically active polypeptide chains encoded by thesenucleic acids which hybridize to DNA or RNA sequences encoding theactive region of OP1 or OP2 under stringent hybridization conditions. Asused herein, stringent hybridization conditions are defined ashybridization in 40% formamide, 5×SSPE, 5× Denhardt's Solution, and 0.1%SDS at 37° C. overnight, and washing in 0.1×SSPE, 0.1% SDS at 50° C.

The invention further comprises nucleic acids and the osteogenicallyactive polypeptide chains encoded by these nucleic acids which hybridizeto the “pro” region of the OP1 or OP2 proteins under stringenthybridization conditions. As used herein, “osteogenically activepolypeptide chains” is understood to mean those polypeptide chainswhich, when dimerized, produce a protein species having a conformationsuch that the pair of polypeptide chains is capable of inducingendochondral bone formation in a mammal when implanted in a mammal inassociation with a matrix.

The proteins of this invention, including fragments thereof, also may beused to raise monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies capable of bindingspecifically to an epitope of the osteogenic protein. These antibodiesmay be used, for example, in osteogenic protein purification protocols.

The osteogenic proteins are useful in clinical applications inconjunction with a suitable delivery or support system (matrix). Asdisclosed herein, the matrix may be combined with osteogenic protein toinduce endochondral bone formation reliably and reproducibly in amammalian body. The matrix is made up of particles of porous materials.The pores must be of a dimension to permit progenitor cell migrationinto the matrix and subsequent differentiation and proliferation. Theparticle size should be within the range of 70 μm-850 μm, preferably 70μm-420 μm, most preferably 150 μm-420 μm. It may be fabricated by closepacking particulate material into a shape spanning the bone defect, orby otherwise structuring as desired a material that is biocompatible,and preferably biodegradable in vivo to serve as a “temporary scaffold”and substratum for recruitment of migratory progenitor cells, and as abase for their subsequent anchoring and proliferation. Useful matrixmaterials comprise, for example, collagen; homopolymers or copolymers ofglycolic acid, lactic acid, and butyric acid, including derivativesthereof; and ceramics, such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate andother calcium phosphates. Combinations of these matrix materials alsomay be useful.

Currently preferred carriers include particulate, demineralized,guanidine extracted, species-specific (allogenic) bone, and speciallytreated particulate, protein extracted, demineralized, xenogenic bone.Optionally, such xenogenic bone powder matrices also may be treated withproteases such as trypsin. Preferably, the xenogenic matrices aretreated with one or more fibril modifying agents to increase theintraparticle intrusion volume (porosity) and surface area. Usefulagents include solvents such as dichloromethane, trichloroacetic acid,acetonitrile and acids such as trifluoroacetic acid and hydrogenfluoride.

The currently preferred fibril-modifying agent useful in formulating thematrices of this invention is a heated aqueous medium, preferably anacidic aqueous medium having a pH less than about pH 4.5, mostpreferably having a pH within the range of about pH 2-pH 4. A currentlypreferred heated acidic aqueous medium is 0.1% acetic acid which has apH of about 3. Heating demineralized, delipidated, guanidine-extractedbone collagen in an aqueous medium at elevated temperatures (e.g., inthe range of about 37° C.-65° C., preferably in the range of about 45°C.-60° C.) for approximately one hour generally is sufficient to achievethe desired surface morphology. Although the mechanism is not clear, itis hypothesized that the heat treatment alters the collagen fibrils,resulting in an increase in the particle surface area. Thus, one aspectof this invention includes osteogenic devices comprising matrices whichhave been treated to increase the surface area and porosity of matrixcollagen particles substantially.

Examination of solvent-treated bone collagenous matrix shows thatdemineralized guanidine-extracted xenogenic bovine bone comprises amixture of additional materials and that extracting these materials canimprove matrix properties. Chromatographic separation of components inthe extract, followed by addition back to active matrix of the variousextract fractions corresponding to the chromatogram peaks, indicatesthat there is a fraction which can inhibit the osteoinductive effect.The identity of the substance or substances in this inhibiting fractionhas not as yet been determined. Thus, in one aspect of this invention, amatrix is provided comprising treated Type-I bone collagen particles ofthe type described above, further characterized in that they aredepleted in this inhibiting component.

In still another aspect of this invention, a matrix is provided that issubstantially depleted in residual heavy metals. Treated as disclosedherein, individual heavy metal concentrations in the matrix can bereduced to less than about 1 ppm.

In view of this disclosure, one skilled in the art can create abiocompatible matrix of choice having a desired porosity or surfacemicrotexture useful in the production of osteogenic devices, and usefulin other implantable contexts, e.g., as a packing to promote boneinduction, or as a biodegradable sustained release implant. In addition,synthetically formulated matrices, prepared as disclosed herein, may beused.

The osteogenic proteins and implantable osteogenic devices disclosedherein will permit the physician to obtain predictable bone formation tocorrect, for example, acquired and congenital craniofacial and otherskeletal or dental anomalies (e.g., Glowacki et al. (1981) Lancet1:959-963). The devices may be used to induce local endochondral boneformation in non-union fractures as demonstrated in animal tests, and inother clinical applications including dental and periodontalapplications where bone formation is required. Another potentialclinical application is in cartilage repair, for example, in thetreatment of osteoarthritis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, the various featuresthereof, as well as the invention itself, may be more fully understoodfrom the following description, when read together with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B are a flow diagram of a purification procedure for isolatingosteogenic protein, illustrating purification steps from grindingcortical bone through lyophilization of guanidine-extracted material(1A), and urea solubilization through gel slicing (1B);

FIGS. 2A-2D are a collection of plots of protein concentration (asindicated by optical absorption) vs elution volume illustrating theresults of bOP fractionation during purification on (2A)heparin-Sepharose-I; (2B) HAP-Ultragel; (2C) TSK 3000; and (2D)heparin-Sepharose-II. Asterisk identifies active peak;

FIGS. 3A-3B are a photographic reproduction of a Coomassie blue stainedSDS polyacrylamide gel of the osteogenic protein under non-reducing (3A)and reducing (3B) conditions;

FIGS. 4A-4B are a photographic reproduction of a Con A blot of an SDSpolyacrylamide gel showing the presence of a carbohydrate component inthe oxidized (4A) and reduced (4B) 30 kDa protein;

FIGS. 5A-5D are photographic reproductions of autoradiograms of an SDSpolyacrylamide gel of ¹²⁵I-labelled osteogenic protein that isglycosylated and run under non-reducing conditions (5A); deglycosylatedand run under non-reducing conditions (5B); glycosylated and run underreducing conditions (5C); deglycosylated and run under reducingconditions (5D);

FIGS. 6A-6E are a photographic reproduction of an autoradiogram of anSDS polyacrylamide gel of peptides produced upon the digestion of the 30kDa osteogenic protein with V-8 protease (6B), Endo Lys C protease (6C),pepsin (6D), and trypsin (6E). (6A) is control;

FIGS. 7A-7C are a collection of HPLC chromatograms of tryptic peptidedigestions of 30 kDa bOP (7A), the 16 kDa subunit (7B), and the 18 kDasubunit (7C);

FIG. 8 is an HPLC chromatogram of an elution profile on reverse phaseC-18 HPLC of the samples recovered from the second heparin-Sepharosechromatography step (see FIG. 2D). Superimposed is the percent boneformation in each fraction;

FIG. 9 is a gel permeation chromatogram of an elution profile on TSK3000/2000 gel of the C-18 purified osteogenic peak fraction.Superimposed is the percent bone formation in each fraction;

FIGS. 10A-10D are a collection of graphs of protein concentration (asindicated by optical absorption) vs. elution volume illustrating theresults of human osteogenic protein fractionation on heparin-Sepharose I(10A), HAP-Ultragel (10B), TSK 3000/2000 (1° C.), and heparin-SepharoseII (10D). Arrows indicate buffer-changes and asterisk identifies activepeak;

FIG. 11 is a graph showing representative dose response curves forbone-inducing activity in samples from various purification stepsincluding reverse phase HPLC on C-18 (A), heparin-Sepharose II (B), TSK3000 (C), HAP-ultragel (D), and heparin-Sepharose I (E);

FIG. 12 is a bar graph of radiomorphometric analyses of feline bonedefect repair after treatment with an osteogenic device (A), carriercontrol (B), and demineralized bone (C);

FIGS. 13A-13B are a schematic representation of the DNA sequence,restriction sites, and corresponding amino acid sequence of theconsensus gene/probe for osteogenic protein, as follows: (13A)nucleotides 1-192; (13B) nucleotides 193-314;

FIG. 14 is a graph of osteogenic activity vs. increasing molecularweight showing peak bone forming activity in the 30 kDa region of an SDSpolyacrylamide gel;

FIG. 15 is a photographic representation of a Coomassie blue stained SDSgel showing gel purified subunits of the 30 kDa protein;

FIGS. 16A-16B are a pair of HPLC chromatograms of Endo Asp N proteinasedigests of the trypsin-resistant cores from the 18 kDa subunit (16A) andthe 16 kDa subunit (16B);

FIGS. 17A-17C are photographic representations of the histologicalexamination of bone implants in the rat model: carrier alone (17A);carrier and glycosylated osteogenic protein (17B); and carrier anddeglycosylated osteogenic protein (17C). Arrows indicate osteoblasts;

FIG. 18 is a representation of the hybridization of the consensusgene/probe to the OP1 gene;

FIGS. 19A-19F are restriction maps of various expression vectorsdesigned for the mammalian cell expression of OP1 as follows: (19A)vector pH717; (19B) vector pH731; (19C) vector pH754; (19D) vectorpH752; (19E) vector pW24; (19F) vector pH783;

FIGS. 20A-20F are photoreproductions of Western blots (immunoblots)comparing OP1 expressed from pH717/COS cells (20A); pH731/COS cells(20B); pH754/CHO cells (20C); pH752/CHO cells (20D); pH717/BSC cells(20E); and pW24/BSC cells (20F);

FIGS. 21A-21F are elution profiles and photoreproductions of SDS-PAGEgels expressed from BSC cells and purified (in order) on:S-Sepharose—elution profile (21A); SDS-PAGE gel (21B);phenyl-Sepharose—elution profile (21C); SDS-PAGE gel (21D); and C-18columns—elution profile (21E); and SDS-PAGE gel (21F);

FIG. 22 is a photoreproduction of SDS-PAGE gels of OP1 purified from BSCcells, comparing the intact dimer under oxidized conditions (36 kDa,lane 1) and the corresponding monomer, after reduction withdithiothreitol (18 kDa, lane 5), with molecular weight standards (lanes2-4);

FIGS. 23A-23E compare the amino acid sequences of the mature hOP1 andmOP1 polypeptide chains: OP1-18Ser and mOP1-Ser; and mature mOP2 andhOP2 polypeptide chains: hOP2-Ala and mOP2-Ala, as follows: (23A)residues 1-72 of hOP1-Ser, mOP1-Ser; (23B) residues 73-139 of hOP1-Ser,mOP1-Ser; (23C) residues 1-63 of hOP2-Ala, mOP2-Ala; (23D) residues64-126 of hOP2-Ala, mOP2-Ala; (23E) residues 127-139 of hOP2-Ala,mOP2-Ala;

FIGS. 24A-24D compare the amino acid sequences of the mature OP1 and OP2polypeptide chains: OP1-18Ser, mOP1-Ser, hOP2-Ala and mOP2-Ala, asfollows: (24A) residues 1-45; (24B) residues 46-90; (24C) residues91-134; (24D) residues 135-139;

FIGS. 25A-25D are scanning electron micrographs (approx. 1000×) ofdemineralized, delipidated bovine bone matrix heat treated in water at(25A) 37° C., (25B) 45° C., (25C) 55° C., and (25D) 65° C.;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are scanning electron micrographs (5000×) ofdemineralized, delipidated (26A) rat bone collagen particles, and (26B)bovine bone collagen particles;

FIG. 27 is a 214 nm absorbance tracing of the extract isolated from hotwater-treated bovine matrix, identifying the inhibitory effect ofindividual fractions on in vivo bone formation;

FIGS. 28A and 28B are bar graphs showing the inhibitory effect of hotwater-treated matrix extract on OP1 activity, as measured by (28A)alkaline phosphatase activity and (28B) calcium content in day 12implants, vs. increasing concentration of extract solvent;

FIGS. 29A-29F are photomicrographs (220×) of allogenic implants of OP1expressed from COS, BSC and CHO cells, as follows: (29A) control; (29B)500 ng BSC-produced OP1; (29C) 220 ng COS-produced OP1; (29D)CHO-produced OP1, 220×; (29E) CHO-produced OP1, 440×; (29F) 500 ngBSC-produced OP1;

FIG. 30 is a photomicrograph showing the histology (day 12) of axenogenic implant of this invention using OP1 expressed from BSC cellsand hot water-treated xenogenic bovine matrix;

FIG. 31 describes the dose dependence of osteogenic implants for day 12implants, as determined by alkaline phosphatase activity and calciumcontent, for allogenic implants containing OP1 expressed from COS, BSCand CHO cells;

FIGS. 32A and 32B are bar graphs showing the dose dependence of OP1expressed in COS and BSC cells, as measured by (32A) alkalinephosphatase activity and (32B) calcium content in xenogenic implants(day 12), vs increasing concentration of protein (dose curve in ng); and

FIG. 33 compares the N-termini of the various forms of human OP1 proteinidentified to date.

DESCRIPTION

Purification protocols first were developed which enabled isolation ofthe osteogenic protein present in crude protein extracts from mammalianbone (e.g., from bovine bone, “bOP,” and human bone. See U.S. Serial No.179,406 filed Apr. 8, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,590). Sequence dataobtained from the bovine material suggested a probe design which wasused to isolate human genes. The human counterpart osteogenic proteinshave now been expressed and extensively characterized.

These discoveries have enabled preparation of DNAs encoding totallynovel, non-native (e.g., not known to occur in nature) proteinconstructs which individually as homodimers and combined with otherrelated species are capable of producing true endochondral bone (see USSerial No. 315,342, filed Feb. 23, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,691).They also permitted expression of the natural material, truncated forms,muteins, analogs, fusion proteins, and various other variants andconstructs, from cDNAs and genomic DNAs retrieved from natural sourcesor from synthetic DNA produced using the techniques disclosed herein andusing automated, commercially available equipment. The DNAs may beexpressed using well established molecular biology and recombinant DNAtechniques in procaryotic or eucaryotic host cells, and may be oxidizedand refolded in vitro if necessary, to produce biologically activeprotein.

One of the DNA sequences isolated from human genomic and cDNA librariesencoded a previously unidentified gene, referred to herein as hOP1. Theprotein encoded by the isolated DNA was identified originally by aminoacid homology with proteins in the TGF-β superfamily. Consensus splicesignals were found where predicted amino acid homologies ended,designating exon-intron boundaries. Three exons were combined to obtaina functional TGF-β-like domain containing seven cysteines. (See, forexample, U.S. Ser No. 315,342 filed Feb. 23, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No.5,011,691, and Ozkaynak, E. et al., (1990) EMBO. 9: pp. 2085-2093).

The full-length cDNA sequence for hOP1, and its encoded “prepro” form(hOP1-PP), which includes an N-terminal signal peptide sequence, aredisclosed in Seq. ID No. 1 (residues 1-431). The mature form of hOP1protein expressed in mammalian cells (“OP1-18Ser”) is described by aminoacid residues 293 to 431 of Seq. ID No. 1. The full length form of hOP1,as well as various truncated forms of the gene, and fusion DNAconstructs, have been expressed in E. coli, and numerous mammalian cellsas disclosed herein, and all have been shown to have osteogenic activitywhen implanted in a mammal in association with a matrix.

Given the foregoing amino acid and DNA sequence information, variousDNAs can be constructed which encode at least the active region of thehOP1 protein (e.g., OPS or OP7), and various analogs thereof (includingallelic variants and those containing genetically engineered mutations),as well as fusion proteins, truncated forms of the mature proteins, andsimilar constructs. Moreover, DNA hybridization probes can beconstructed from fragments of the hOP1 DNA or designed de novo based onthe hOP1 DNA or amino acid sequence. These probes then can be used toscreen different genomic and cDNA libraries to identify additional genesencoding other osteogenic proteins.

The DNAs can be produced by those skilled in the art using well knownDNA manipulation techniques involving genomic and cDNA isolation,construction of synthetic DNA from synthesized oligonucleotides, andcassette mutagenesis techniques. 15-100mer oligonucleotides may besynthesized on a Biosearch DNA Model 8600 Synthesizer, and purified bypolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in Tris-Borate-EDTA buffer.The DNA then may be electroeluted from the gel overlapping oligomers maybe phosphorylated by T4 polynucleotide kinase and ligated into largerblocks which may also be purified by PAGE.

DNAs used as hybridization probes may be labelled (e.g., as with aradioisotope, by nick-translation or by random hexanucleotide priming)and used to identify clones in a given library containing DNA to whichthe probe hybridizes, following techniques well known in the art. Thelibraries may be obtained commercially or they may be constructed denovo using conventional molecular biology techniques. Furtherinformation on DNA library construction and hybridization techniques canbe found in numerous texts known to those skilled in the art. See, forexample, F. M. Ausubel, ed., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology-Vol.I, John Wiley & Sons, New York, (1989). In particular, see Unit 5,“Construction of Recombinant DNA Libraries” and Unit 6, “Screening ofRecombinant Libraries.”

The DNA from appropriately identified clones then can be isolated,subcloned (preferably Into an expression vector), and sequenced usingany of a number of techniques well known in the art. Vectors containingsequences of interest then can be transfected into an appropriate hostcell for protein expression and further characterization. The host maybe a procaryotic or eucaryotic cell since the former's inability toglycosylate protein will not destroy the protein's osteogenic activity.Useful host cells include E. coli, Saccharomyces, the insect/baculoviruscell system, myeloma cells, and various other mammalian cells. Thevector additionally may include various sequences to promote correctexpression of the recombinant protein, including transcription promoterand termination sequences, enhancer sequences, preferred ribosomebinding site sequences, preferred mRNA leader sequences, preferredsignal sequences for protein secretion, and the like. The DNA sequenceencoding the protein of interest also may be manipulated to removepotentially inhibiting sequences or to minimize unwanted secondarystructure formation. The recombinant osteogenic protein also may beexpressed as a fusion protein. After being translated, the protein maybe purified from the cells themselves or recovered from the culturemedium. All biologically active protein forms comprise dimeric specieslinked by disulfide bonds or otherwise associated, produced by oxidizingand refolding one or more of the various recombinant polypeptide chainswithin an appropriate eucaryotic cell or in vitro after expression ofindividual subunits. A detailed description of osteogenic proteinpurified from natural sources or expressed from recombinant DNA in E.coli and numerous different mammalian cells is disclosed below.

In view of this disclosure, and using standard immunology techniqueswell known in the art, those skilled in the art also may raisepolyclonal or monoclonal antibodies against all or part of thepolypeptide chains described herein. Useful protocols for antibodyproduction may be found, for example, in Molecular Cloning-A LaboratoryManual (Sambrook et al., eds.) Cold Spring Harbor Press, 2nd ed., 1989).See Book 3, Section 18. The polypeptide chains useful as antigens may bepurified from natural-sourced material, synthesized by chemical means,or expressed from recombinant nucleic acid as disclosed herein.Antibodies specific for the osteogenic proteins disclosed herein may beparticularly useful in osteogenic protein preparation. For example, whenpurifying a given osteogenic protein from bone or a cell culturesupernatant, the osteogenic protein may be selectively extracted from amixture by exposing the mixture to the antibody under conditions suchthat the antibody specifically binds the osteogenic protein to form anantibody-osteogenic protein complex. This complex then may be separatedfrom the mixture by conventional methods, and the complex dissociated toyield substantially purified osteogenic protein.

I. Purification of Osteogenic Protein from Bone

A. Bovine Bone

1. Purification

1.1 Preparation of Demineralized Bone

A schematic representation of the general protocol disclosed herein forpurifying osteogenic protein from bone is illustrated in FIG. 1.Demineralized bovine bone matrix is prepared by previously publishedprocedures (Sampath and Reddi (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA80:6591-6595). Bovine diaphyseal bones (age 1-10 days) are obtained froma local slaughterhouse and used fresh. The bones are stripped of muscleand fat, cleaned of periosteum, demarrowed by pressure with cold water,dipped in cold absolute ethanol, and stored at −20° C. They are thendried and fragmented by crushing and pulverized in a large mill. Care istaken to prevent heating by using liquid nitrogen. The pulverized boneis milled to a particle size between 70-420 μm and is defatted by twowashes of approximately two hours duration with three volumes ofchloroform and methanol (3:1). The particulate bone is then washed withone volume of absolute ethanol and dried over one volume of anhydrousether. The defatted bone powder is then demineralized with 20 volumes of0.5 N HCl at 4° C. for 24 hours. The acid is removed every eight hoursand fresh acid is added. Finally, the demineralized bone powder iswashed with a large volume of water until the wash solution has aneutral pH. The water may be removed by freeze-drying.

1.2 Dissociative Extraction and Ethanol Precipitation

Demineralized bone matrix thus prepared is dissociatively extracted with20 volumes of 4 M guanidine-HCl, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0, containingprotease inhibitors (5 mM benzamidine, 0.1 M 6-aminohexanoic acid, 5 mMN-ethylmaleimide, 0.5 mM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride) for 16 hr. at 4°C. The suspension is filtered through cheese cloth and centrifuged at20,000×g for 15 min. at 4° C. The supernatant is collected andconcentrated to one volume using an Amicon ultrafiltration YM-10 hollowfiber membrane. The concentrate is centrifuged (40,000×g for 30 min. at4° C.), and the supernatant is then subjected to ethanol precipitation.To one volume of concentrate is added seven volumes of cold (−20° C.)absolute ethanol (100%), which is then kept at −20° C. for 30 min. Theprecipitate is pelleted upon centrifugation at 10,000×g for 10 min. at4° C. The resulting pellet is resuspended in 250 ml of 85% cold ethanoland recentrifuged. The pellet then is lyophilized.

1.3 Heparin-Sepharose Chromatography I

The ethanol precipitated, lyophilized, extracted crude protein isdissolved in 20 volumes of 6 M urea, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0 (Buffer A)containing 0.15 M NaCl, and clarified by centrifugation at 20,000×g for30 min. The supernatant is stirred for 15 min. with 50 volumes ofhydrated heparin-Sepharose (Pharmacia) equilibrated with Buffer Acontaining 0.15 M NaCl. The heparin-Sepharose is pre-treated with BufferA containing 1.0 M NaCl prior to equilibration. The unabsorbed proteinis collected by packing the resin into a column. After washing withthree column volumes of initial buffer (Buffer A containing 0.15 MNaCl), protein is eluted with Buffer A containing 0.5 M NaCl. Theabsorption of the eluate is monitored continuously at 280 nm. The poolof protein eluted by 0.5 M NaCl (approximately 20 column volumes) iscollected and stored at −20° C.

As shown in FIG. 2A, most of the protein (about 95%) remains unbound.Approximately 5% of the protein is bound to the column. The unboundfraction has no bone inductive activity when bioassayed as a whole orafter a partial purification through Sepharose CL-6B.

1.4 Hydroxyapatite-Ultragel Chromatography

The volume of protein eluted by Buffer A containing 0.5 M NaCl from theheparin-Sepharose is applied directly to a column ofhydroxyapatite-Ultragel (HAP-Ultragel) (LKB Instruments), andequilibrated with Buffer A containing 0.5 M NaCl. The HAP-Ultragel istreated with Buffer A containing 500 mM Na phosphate prior toequilibration. The unadsorbed protein is collected as an unboundfraction, and the column is washed with three column volumes of Buffer Acontaining 0.5 M NaCl. The column subsequently is eluted with Buffer Acontaining 100 mM Na phosphate (FIG. 2B). The approximately 3 columnvolume pool of the protein peak eluted by 100 mM Na phosphate isconcentrated using an Amicon ultrafiltration YM-10 membrane to onevolume, dialysed in a 3.5 kDa molecular weight cut-off bag (Spectrapor)against distilled water, and lyophilized.

The 100 mM Na phosphate eluted component can induce endochondral bone asmeasured by alkaline phosphatase activity and histology (see sectionV.5.1, infra). As the biologically active protein is bound to HAP in thepresence of 6 M urea and 0.5 M NaCl, it is likely that the protein hasan affinity for bone mineral and may be displaced only by phosphateions.

1.5TSK 3000 Gel Exclusion Chromatography

Analytical TSK 3000 gel (silica gel), obtained from Bio Rad, isequilibrated with 4 M guanidine-HCl, 50 mm Tris-HCl, pH 7.0. Apre-column (analytical) also is used. A portion of the lyophilizedprotein from HAP-Ultragel is dissolved in a known volume of 4 Mguanidine-HCl, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0, and the solution is clarified bylow speed centrifugation. A 200 μl sample containing approximately 10 mgof protein is loaded onto the column and then chromatographed with 4 Mguanidine-HCl, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0, with a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min.0.6 ml fractions are collected over 100 min., and the concentration ofthe protein is measured continuously at A₂₈₀. Fractions are collectedand bioassayed as described below; fractions having a molecular weightless than 35 kDa (30-34 kDa) and ostecinductivity are pooled and storedat 4° C. (FIG. 2C).

1.6 Heparin-Sepharose Chromatography-II

The pooled osteo-inductive fractions obtained from TSK gel exclusionchromatography are dialysed extensively against distilled water and thenagainst one liter of 6 M urea, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0 (Buffer A, alsoreferred to in related applications as “Buffer B”.) The dialysate thenis cleared through centrifugation, and the supernatant is stirred forone hr. with 50-100 ml of hydrated heparin-Sepharose (Pharmacia)equilibrated with Buffer A. The heparin-Sepharose is pre-treated withBuffer A containing 1.0 M NaCl prior to equilibration. The unadsorbedprotein is collected by packing the resin into a column as an unboundfraction. After washing with three column volumes of initial buffer, thecolumn is developed sequentially with Buffer A containing 0.1 M NaCl,0.15 M NaCl, and 0.5 M NaCl (see FIG. 2D). The protein eluted by 0.5MNaCl is collected and dialyzed extensively against distilled water. Itthen is dialyzed against one liter of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid at 4° C.

1.7 Reverse Phase HPLC

The protein further is purified by C-18 Vydac silica-based HPLC columnchromatography (particle size 5 μm; pore size 300 Å). The osteoinductivefraction obtained from heparin-Sepharose-II chromatograph isconcentrated, loaded onto the column, and washed in 0.1% TFA, 10%acetonitrile for five min. The bound proteins are eluted with a lineargradient of 10-30% acetonitrile over 15 min., 30-50% acetonitrile over60 min, and 50-70% acetonitrile over 15 min. at 22° C. with a flow rateof 1.0 ml/min, and 1.0 ml samples are collected in polycarbonate tubes.Protein is monitored by absorbance at 214 nm (see FIG. 8). Columnfractions are tested for the presence of concanavalin A (ConA)-blottable 30 kDa protein and then pooled. Pools then arecharacterized biochemically for the presence of 30 kDa protein byautoradiography, concanavalin A blotting, and Coomassie blue dyestaining. They are then assayed for in vivo osteogenic activity.Biological activity is not found in the absence of 30 kDa protein.

1.8 Gel Elution

The glycosylated or unglycosylated protein then is eluted from SDS gelsfor further characterization. ¹²⁵I-labelled 30 kDa protein routinely isadded to each preparation to monitor yields. TABLE 2 shows the variouselution buffers that have been tested and the yields of ¹²⁵I-labelledprotein. TABLE 2 Elution of 30 kDa Protein from SDS Gel % Eluted Buffer0.5 mm 1.5 mm (1) deionized H₂0 22 (2) Guanidine-HCl, Tris-HCl, pH 7.0 2(3) Guanidine-HCl, Tris-HCl, pH 7.0, 93 52 0.5% Triton (4) 0.1% SDS,Tris-HCl, pH 7.0 98

TABLE 3 lists the steps used to isolate the 30 kDa or 27 kDa gel-boundprotein. The standard protocol uses diffusion elution in Tris-HCl buffercontaining 0.1% SDS to achieve greater than 95% elution of the proteinfrom the 27 or 30 kDa region of the gel. TABLE 3 Preparation of GelEluted Protein (C-18 Pool or deglycoslated protein plus ¹²⁵I-labelled 30kDa protein) 1. Dry using vacuum centrifugation; 2. Wash pellet withH₂O; 3. Dissolve pellet in gel sample buffer (no reducing agent); 4.Electrophorese on pre-electrophoresed 0.5 mm mini gel; 5. Cut out 27 or30 kDa protein; 6. Elute from gel with 0.1% SDS, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0;7. Filter through Centrex membrane; 8. Concentrate in Centricon tube (10kDa membrane); 9. Chromatograph on TSK-3000 gel filtration column; 10.Concentrate in Centricon tube.

Chromatography in 0.1% SDS on a TSK-3000 gel filtration column isperformed to separate gel impurities, such as soluble acrylamide, fromthe final product. The overall yield of labelled 30 kDa protein from thegel elution protocol is 50-60% of the loaded sample. Most of the lossoccurs in the electrophoresis step, due to protein aggregation and/orsmearing. In a separate experiment, a sample of gel eluted 30 kDaprotein is reduced, electrophoresed on an SDS gel, and transferred to anImmobilon membrane. The membrane is stained with Coomassie blue dye, cutinto slices, and the slices are counted. Coomassie blue dye stains the16 kDa and 18 kDa reduced species almost exclusively. However, thecounts showed significant smearing throughout the gel in addition tobeing concentrated in the 16 kDa and 18 kDa species. This suggests thatthe ¹²⁵I-label can exhibit anomalous behavior on SDS gels and cannot beused as an accurate marker for cold protein under such circumstances.

The yield is 0.5 to 1.0 μg substantially pure osteogenic protein per kgof bone.

1.9 Isolation of the 16 kDa and 18 kDa Species

TABLE 4 summarizes the procedures involved in the preparation of thesubunits. Gel eluted 30 kDa protein (FIG. 3) is carboxymethylated andelectrophoresed on an SDS-gel. The sample contains ¹²⁵I-label to traceyields and to use as an indicator for slicing the 16 kDa and 18 kDaregions from the gel. FIG. 15 shows a Coomassie stained gel of aliquotsof the protein isolated from the different gel slices. The slicescorresponding to the 16 kDa, 18 kDa and non-reducible 30 kDa speciescontained approximately 10 μg, 3-4 μg, and 6-8 μg, of proteinrespectively, as estimated by staining intensity. Prior to SDSelectrophoresis, all of the 30 kDa species can be reduced to the 16 kDaand 18 kDa species. The non-reducible 30 kDa species observed afterelectrophoresis appears to be an artifact resulting from theelectrophoresis procedure. TABLE 4 Isolation of the Subunits of the 30kDa protein (C-18 pool plus ¹²⁵I-labeled 30 kDa protein) 1.Electrophorese on SDS gel. 2. Cut out 30 kDa protein. 3. Elute with 0.1%SDS, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.0. 4. Concentrate and wash with H₂O in Centricontube (10 kDa membranes). 5. Reduce and carboxymethylate in 1% SDS, 0.4 MTris, pH 8.5. 6. Concentrate and wash with H₂O in Centricon tube. 7.Electrophorese on SDS gel. 8. Cut out the 16 kDa and 18 kDa subunits. 9.Elute with 0.1% SDS, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.0. 10. Concentrate and wash withH₂O in Centricon tubes.

2. Characterization of Natural-Sourced bOP

2.1 Molecular Weight and Structure

Electrophoresis of these fractions on non-reducing SDS polyacrylamidegels reveals a single band at about 30 kDa as detected by both Coomassieblue staining (FIG. 3A) and autoradiography.

In order to extend the analysis of bOP, the protein was examined underreducing conditions. FIG. 3B shows an SDS gel of bOP in the presence ofdithiothreitol. Upon reduction, 30 kDa bOP yields two species which arestained with Coomassie blue dye: a 16 kDa species and an 18 kDa species.Reduction causes loss of biological activity. Methods for the efficientelution of the proteins from SDS gels have been tested, and a protocolhas been developed to achieve purification of both proteins. The tworeduced bOP species have been analyzed to determine if they arestructurally related. Comparison of the amino acid composition of thetwo species (as disclosed below) shows little differences, indicatingthat the native protein may comprise two chains having some homology.

2.2 Charge Determination

Isoelectric focusing studies are carried out to further evaluate the 30kDa protein for possible heterogeneity. The oxidized and reduced speciesmigrate as diffuse bands in the basic region of the isoelectric focusinggel, using the iodinated 30 kDa protein for detection. Using twodimensional gel electrophoresis and Con A for detection, the oxidized 30kDa protein shows a diffuse species migrating in the same basic regionas the iodinated 30 kDa protein. The diffuse character of the band maybe traced to the presence of carbohydrate attached to the protein.

2.3 Presence of Carbohydrate

The 30 kDa protein has been tested for the presence of carbohydrate byCon A after SDS-PAGE and transfer to nitrocellulose paper. The resultsdemonstrate that the 30 kDa protein has a high affinity for Con A,indicating that the protein is glycosylated (FIG. 4A). In addition, theCon A blots provide evidence for a substructure in the 30 kDa region ofthe gel, suggesting heterogeneity due to varying degrees ofglycosylation. After reduction (FIG. 4B), Con A blots show evidence fortwo major components at 16 kDa and 18 kDa. In addition, it has beendemonstrated that no glycosylated material remains at the 30 kDa regionsafter reduction.

In order to confirm the presence of carbohydrate and to estimate theamount of carbohydrate attached, the 30 kDa protein is treated withN-glycanase, a deglycosylating enzyme with a broad specificity. Samplesof the ¹²⁵I-labelled 30 kDa protein are incubated with the enzyme in thepresence of SDS for 24 hours at 37° C. As observed by SDS-PAGE, thetreated samples appear as a prominent species at about 27 kDa (FIG. 5B).Upon reduction, the 27 kDa species is reduced to species having amolecular weight of about 14 kDa-16 kDa (FIG. 5D).

Because the use of N-glycanase for producing deglycosylated proteinsamples for sequencing or biological activity testing is notadvantageous, chemical cleavage of the carbohydrate moieties usinghydrogen fluoride (HF) is performed.

Active osteogenic protein fractions pooled from the C-18 chromatographystep are derived in vacuo over P₂O₅ in a polypropylene tube, and 50 μlfreshly distilled anhydrous HF at −70° C. is added. After capping thetube tightly, the mixture is kept at 0° C. in an ice-bath withoccasional agitation for 1 hr. The HF is then evaporated using acontinuous stream of dry nitrogen gas. The tube is removed from the icebath and the residue dried in vacuo over P₂O₅ and KOH pellets.

Following drying, the samples are dissolved in 100 μl of 50%acetonitrile/0.1% TFA and aliquoted for SDS gel analysis, Con A binding,and biological assay. Aliquots are dried and dissolved in either SDS gelsample buffer in preparation for SDS gel analysis and Con A blotting, or4 M guanidine-HCl, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0 for biological assay. Thedeglycosylated protein produces a bone formation response in the in vivorat model described below as determined by histological examination(FIG. 17C).

The results show that samples are completely deglycosylated by the HFtreatment: Con A blots after SDS gel electrophoresis and transfer toImmobilon membrane show no binding of Con A to the treated samples,while untreated controls are strongly positive at 30 kDa. Coomassie gelsof treated samples show the presence of a 27 kDa band instead of the 30kDa band present in the untreated controls.

2.4 Chemical and Enzymatic Cleavage

Cleavage reactions with CNBr are analyzed using Con A binding fordetection of fragments associated with carbohydrate. Cleavage reactionsare conducted using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the presence andabsence of CNBr. Reactions are conducted at 37° C. for 18 hours, and thesamples are vacuum dried. The samples are washed with water, dissolvedin SDS gel sample buffer with reducing agent, boiled and applied to anSDS gel. After electrophoresis, the protein is transferred to Immobilonmembrane and visualized by Con A binding. In low concentrations of acid(1%), CNBr cleaves the majority of 16 kDa and 18 kDa species to oneproduct, a species about 14 kDa. In reactions using 10% TFA, a 14 kDaspecies is observed both with and without CNBr.

Four proteolytic enzymes are used in these experiments to examine thedigestion products of the 30 kDa protein: 1) V-8 protease; 2) Endo Lys Cprotease; 3) pepsin; and 4) tryspin. Except for pepsin, the digestionbuffer for the enzymes is 0.1 M ammonium bicarbonate, pH 8.3. The pepsinreactions are done in 0.1% TFA. The digestion volume is 100 μl and theratio of enzyme to substrate is 1:10. ¹²⁵I-labelled 30 kDa bOP is addedfor detection. After incubation at 37° C. for 16 hr., digestion mixturesare dried down and taken up in gel sample buffer containingdithiothreitol for SDS-PAGE. FIG. 6 shows an autoradiograph of an SDSgel of the digestion products. The results show that under theseconditions, only trypsin digests the reduced 16 kDa/18 kDa speciescompletely and yields a major species at around 12 kDa. Pepsin digestionyields better defined, lower molecular weight species. However, the 16kDa/18 kDa fragments were not digested completely. The V-8 digest showslimited digestion with one dominant species at 16 kDa.

2.5 Protein Sequencing

To obtain amino acid sequence data, the protein is cleaved with trypsin.The tryptic digest of reduced and carboxymethylated 30 kDa protein(approximately 10 μg) is fractionated by reverse-phase HPLC using a C-8narrowbore column (13 cm×2.1 mm ID) with a TFA/acetonitrile gradient anda flow rate of 150 μl/min. The gradient employs (A) 0.06% TFA in waterand (B) 0.04% TFA in water and acetonitrile (1:4; v:v). The procedure is10% B for five min., followed by a linear gradient for 70 min. to 80% B,followed by a linear gradient for 10 min. to 100% B. Fractionscontaining fragments as determined from the peaks in the HPLC profile(FIG. 7A) are rechromatographed at least once under the same conditionsin order to isolate single components satisfactory for sequenceanalysis.

The HPLC profile of the similarly digested 16 kDa and 18 kDa subunitsare shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, respectively. These peptide maps aresimilar, suggesting that the subunits are identical or are closelyrelated.

The tryspin resistant core material of the 16 kDa and 18 kDa subunits isdigested with Endo Asp N proteinase. The core protein is treated with0.5 μg Endo Asp N in 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.8 at 36° C. for20 hr. Subsequently, the samples are centrifuged, and the water solublepeptides injected into the narrow bore HPLC. The water insolublepeptides also are subjected to HPLC fractionation after being dissolvedin 50% acetonitrile/0.1% TFA. The conditions for fractionation are thesame as those described previously for the 30 kDa, 16 kDa, and 18 kDadigests. The profiles obtained are shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B.

Various of the peptide fragments produced using the foregoing procedureshave been analyzed in an automated amino acid sequencer (AppliedBiosystems 450A). The following sequence data has been obtained:

-   -   (1)        Ser-Phe-Asp-Ala-Tyr-Tyr-Cys-Ser-Gly-Ala-Cys-Gln-Phe-Pro-Met-Pro-Lys;    -   (2) Ser-Leu-Lys-Pro-Set-Asn-Tyr-Ala-Thr-Ile-Gln-Ser-Ile-Val;    -   (3)        Ala-Cys-Cys-Val-Pro-Thr-Glu-Leu-Ser-Ala-Ile-Ser-Met-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Glu-Asn-Glu-Lys;    -   (4) Met-Ser-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Leu-Phe-Phe-Asp-Glu-Asn-Lys;    -   (5) Val-Gly-Val-Val-Pro-Gly-Ile-Pro-Glu-Pro-Cys-Cys-Val-Pro-Glu;    -   (6) Val-Asp-Phe-Ala-Asp-Ile-Gly    -   (7) Val-Pro-Lys-Pro; and    -   (8) Ala-Pro-Thr.

Several of the residues in these sequences could not be determined withcertainty. For example, two amino acids join fragment 8 to theC-terminus of fragment 7. Initial sequencing data suggested theseresidues were both serines, but subsequent experiments identified theresidues as cysteines. Accordingly, these data have been eliminated fromthe sequencing results presented here. Similarly, a spurious glutamicacid residue at the N-terminus of fragment. 7, and a spurious lysine atthe C-terminus of fragment 8 also have been eliminated from the datapresented here (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,691, col. 7, fragment 7 forcorrect sequence).

Fragments 1, 2 and 4-6 are described in the sequences presented in Seq.ID Nos. 20 and 22 (referred to herein as human and murine “CBMP3,”respectively.) Specifically, fragment 1 is described essentially byresidues 93-109 of Seq. ID No. 20 and fragment 2 is describedessentially by residues 121-134 of Seq. ID No. 22 (note that residue 7in fragment 2 is identified as a tyrosine. In Seq. ID No. 22 thisresidue is a histidine. By comparison with the CBMP2 and OP1 sequences,the correct residue likely is a histidine.) Fragment 4 is describedessentially by residues 153-165 of Seq. ID No. 22 and fragment 5 isdescribed essentially by residues 137-151 of Seq. ID No. 22 (note thatresidue 5 in fragment 5 is identified as a proline. In Seq. ID No. 22this residue is a serine. By comparison with the CBMP2 and OP1sequences, the correct residue likely is a serine.) Fragment 6 isdescribed essentially by residues 77-83 of Seq. ID No. 20. Fragment 3 isdescribed by residues 359-379 in the sequence presented in Seq. ID No. 4(referred to herein as “CBMP2A”). Fragments 7 and 8 are described byresidues 391-394 and 397-399, respectively, of the sequence presented inSeq. ID No 0.1 (referred to herein as “OP1”.)

Subsequent additional peptide digest experiments performed on each ofthe two subunits purified from the highest activity fractions anddigested with either thermolysin or endoproteinase Asp-N followed byendoproteinase Glu-C unequivocally identifies the 18 kDa subunit ascomprising OP1, and the 16 kDa subunit as comprising CBMP2 (see U.S.Pat. No. 5,011,691 and Kubet Sampath et al., (1990) J. Biol. Chem.265:13198-13205.)

Specifically, pyridylethylation of C-18 purified, reduced, bOP fractionsshowing the highest osteogenic activity, followed by separation bySDS-PAGE, gel slicing, elution, and digestion with endoproteinase Asp-N,then Staph V-8 protease, permitted separation of peptide fragmentsrepresentative of each of the subunits from natural-sourced bovinematerial. Sequencing of the peptide fragments from the 18 kDa subunityielded five sequences unequivocally from OP1. Sequencing of peptidefragments from the 16 kDa subunit yielded six sequences unequivocallyfrom CBMP2A, and three that could have been from either CBMP2A orCBMP2B. The five sequences unequivocally from OP1 correspond to residueNos. 341-345, 342-346, 346-352, 353-360 and 386-399 of Seq. ID No. 1.The six sequences unequivocally from CBMP2A correspond to residue Nos.312-324, 312-330, 314-322, 323-330, 335-354 and 366-373 of Seq. ID No.4. Another peptide, analyzed as Asp-Xaa-Pro-Phe-Pro-Leu, was consistentwith the presence of CBMP2B. However, the amino terminal aspartic acidcould have been a glutamic acid (Glu), in which case the peptide wouldhave indicated the presence of CBMP2A. The Asp-Xaa-Pro-Phe-Pro-Leusequence determination has not been repeated successfully. From thesedata, it is apparent that the active natural-sourced osteogenic proteincomprises OP1 and CBMP2.

2.6 Amino Acid Analysis

Strategies for obtaining amino acid composition data were developedusing gel elution from 15% SDS gels, transfer onto Immobilon, andhydrolysis. Immobilon membrane is a polymer of vinylidene difluorideand, therefore, is not susceptible to acid cleavage. Samples of oxidized(30 kDa) and reduced (16 kDa and 18 kDa) bOP are electrophoresed on agel and transferred to Immobilon for hydrolysis and analysis asdescribed below. The composition data generated by amino acid analysesof 30 kDa bOP is reproducible, with some variation in the number ofresidues for a few amino acids, especially cysteine and isoleucine.

Samples are run on 15% SDS gels, transferred to Immobilon, and stainedwith Coomassie blue. The bands of interest are excised from theImmobilon, with a razor blade and placed in a Corning 6×50 test tubecleaned by pyrolysis at 55° C. When cysteine is to be determined, thesamples are treated with performic acid (PFA), which converts cysteineto cysteic acid. Cysteic acid is stable during hyrolysis with HCl, andcan be detected during the HPLC analysis by using a modification of thenormal Pico Tag eluents (Millipore) and gradient. The PFA is made bymixing 50 μl 30% hydrogen peroxide with 950 μl 99% formic acid, andallowing this solution to stand at room temperature for 2 hr. Thesamples then are treated with PFA as follows: 20 μl PFA is pipetted ontoeach sample and placed in an ice bath at 40° C. for 2.5 hours. After 2.5hours, the PFA is removed by drying in vacuo, and the samples then arehydrolyzed. A standard protein of known composition and concentrationcontaining cysteine is treated with PFA and hydrolyzed concurrently withthe bOP samples.

The hydrolysis of the bOP samples is done in vacuo. The samples, withempty tubes and Immobilon blanks, are placed in a hydrolysis vesselwhich is placed in a dry ice/ethanol bath to keep the HCl fromprematurely evaporating. 200 μl 6 N HCl containing 2% phenol and 0.1%stannous chloride are added to the hydrolysis vessel outside the tubescontaining the samples. The hydrolysis vessel is then sealed, flushedwith prepurified nitrogen, evacuated, and then held at 115° C. for 24hours, after which time the HCl is removed by drying in vacuo.

After hydrolysis, each piece of Immobilon is transferred to a freshtube, where it is rinsed twice with 100 μl 0.1% TFA, 50% acetonitrile.The washings are returned to the original sample tube, which then isredried as below. A similar treatment of amino acid analysis onImmobilon can be found in the literature (LeGendre and Matsudaira (1988)Biotechniques 6:154-159).

The samples are redried twice using 2:2:1 ethanol:water:triethylamineand allowed to dry at least 30 min. after each addition of redryreagent. These redrying steps bring the sample to the proper pH forderivatization.

The samples are derivatized using standard methodology. The solution isadded to each sample tube. The tubes are placed in a desiccator which ispartially evacuated, and are allowed to stand for 20 min. The desiccatorthen is fully evacuated, and the samples are dried for at least 3 hr.After this step the samples may be stored under vacuum at −20° C. orimmediately diluted for HPLC. The samples are diluted with Pico TagSample Diluent (generally 100 μl) and allowed to stand for 20 min.,after which they are analyzed on HPLC using the Pico Tag chromatographicsystem with some minor changes involving gradients, eluents, initialbuffer conditions and oven temperature.

After HPLC analysis, the compositions are calculated. The molecularweights are assumed to be 14.4 kDa, 16.2 kDa, and 27 kDa. The number ofresidues is approximated by dividing the molecular weight by the averagemolecular weight per amino acid, which is 115. The total picomoles ofamino acid recovered is divided by the number of residues, and then thepicomoles recovered for each amino acid is divided by the number ofpicomoles per residue, determined above. This gives an approximatetheoretical number of residues of each amino acid in the protein.Glycine content may be overestimated in this type of analysis.

Composition data obtained are shown in TABLE 5. TABLE 5 bOP Amino AcidAnalyses Amino Acid 30 kDa 16 kDa 18 kDa Asp/Asn 22 14 15 Glu/Gln 24 1416 Ser 24 16 23 Gly 29 18 26 His 5 * 4 Arg 13 6 6 Thr 11 6 7 Ala 18 1112 Pro 14 6 6 Tyr 11 3 3 Val 14 8 7 Met 3 0 2 Cys** 16 14 12 Ile 15 1410 Leu 15 8 9 Phe 7 4 4 Trp ND ND ND Lys 12 6 6* This result is not integrated because histidine is present in lowquantities.**Cysteine is corrected by percent normally recovered from performicacid hydrolysis of the standard protein.

The results obtained from the 16 kDa and 18 kDa subunits, when combined,closely resemble the numbers obtained from the native 30 kDa protein.The high figures obtained for glycine and serine are most likely theresult of gel elution.

3. Demonstration that the 30 kDa Protein is Osteogenic Protein

3.1 Gel Slicing

Gel slicing experiments confirm that the isolated 30 kDa protein is theprotein responsible for osteogenic activity.

Gels from the last step of the purification are sliced. Protein in eachfraction is extracted in 15 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0 containing 0.1% SDS. Theextracted proteins are desalted, concentrated, and assayed forendochondral bone formation activity. The results are set forth in FIG.14. Activity in higher molecular weight regions apparently is due toprotein aggregation. These protein aggregates, when reduced, yield the16 kDa and 18 kDa species discussed above.

3.2 Con A-Sepharose Chromatography

A sample containing the 30 kDa protein is solubilized using 0.1% SDS, 50mM Tris-HCl, and is applied to a column of Con A-Sepharose equilibratedwith the same buffer. The bound material is eluted in SDS Tris-HClbuffer containing 0.5 M alpha-methyl mannoside. After reverse phasechromatography of both the bound and unbound fractions, Con A-boundmaterials, when implanted, result in extensive bone formation (seeSections III-V, infra, for assay methodologies). Furthercharacterization of the bound materials show a Con A-blottable 30 kDaprotein. Accordingly, the 30 kDa glycosylated protein is responsible forthe bone forming activity.

3.3 Gel Permeation Chromatography

TSK-3000/2000 gel permeation chromatography in guanidine-HCl is used toachieve separation of the high specific activity fraction obtained fromC-18 chromatography (FIG. 9). The results demonstrate that the peak ofbone inducing activity elutes in fractions containing substantially pure30 kDa protein by Coomassie blue staining. When this fraction isiodinated and subjected to autoradiography, a strong band at 30 kDaaccounts for 90% of the iodinated proteins. The fraction induces boneformation in vivo at a dose of 50 to 100 ng per implant.

3.4 Structural Requirements for Biological Activity

Although the role of 30 kDa bOP is clearly established for boneinduction, through analysis of proteolytic cleavage products we havebegun to search for a minimum structure that is necessary for activityin vivo. The results of cleavage experiments demonstrate that pepsintreatment fails to destroy bone inducing capacity, whereas trypsin orCNBr completely abolishes the activity.

An experiment is performed to isolate and identify pepsin digestedproduct responsible for biological activity. Samples used for pepsindigestion were 20%-30% pure. The buffer used is 0.1% TFA in water. Theenzyme to substrate ratio is 1:10. A control sample is made withoutenzyme. The digestion mixture is incubated at room temperature for 16hr. The digested product then is separated in 4 M guanidine-HCl usinggel permeation chromatography, and the fractions are prepared for invivo assay. The results demonstrate that active fractions from gelpermeation chromatography of the pepsin digest correspond to molecularweight of 8 kDa-10 kDa.

In order to understand the importance of the carbohydrates moiety withrespect to osteogenic activity, the 30 kDa protein has been chemicallydegylcosylated using HF. After analyzing an aliquot of the reactionproduct by Con A blot to confirm the absence of carbohydrate, thematerial is assayed for its activity in vivo. The bioassay is positive(i.e., the deglycosylated protein produces a bone formation response asdetermined by histological examination shown in FIG. 17C), demonstratingthat exposure to HF did not destroy the biological function of theprotein. In addition, the specific activity of the deglycosylatedprotein is approximately the same as that of the native glycosylatedprotein.

B. Human Bone

Human bone is obtained from the Bone Bank, (Massachusetts GeneralHospital, Boston, Mass.), and is milled, defatted, demarrowed anddemineralized by the procedure disclosed above. 320 g of mineralizedmilled bone yields 70-80 g of demineralized milled bone. Dissociativeextraction and ethanol precipitation of the demineralized milled bonegives 12.5 g of guanidine-HCl extract.

One third of the ethanol precipitate (0.5 g) is used for gel filtrationthrough 4 M guanidine-HCl (FIG. 10A). Approximately 70-80 g of ethanolprecipitate per run is used. In vivo bone inducing activity is localizedin the fractions containing proteins in the 30 kDa range. They arepooled and equilibrated in 6 M urea, 0.5.M NaCl buffer, and applieddirectly onto an HAP column; the bound protein is eluted stepwise byusing the same buffer containing 100 mM and 500 mM phosphate (FIG. 10B).Bioassay of HAP bound and unbound fractions demonstrates that only thefraction eluted by 100 mM phosphate has bone inducing activity in vivo.The biologically active fraction obtained from HAP chromatography issubjected to heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography in buffercontaining low salt; the bound proteins are eluted by 0.5 M NaCl (FIG.10D. FIG. 10C describes the elation profile for the intervening gelfiltration step described above). Assaying the heparin-Sepharosefractions shows that the bound fraction eluted by 0.5 M NaCl hasbone-inducing activity. The active fraction then is subject to C-18reverse phase chromatography.

The active fraction subsequently can be subjected to SDS-PAGE as notedabove to yield a band at about 30 kDa comprising substantially purehuman osteogenic protein.

II. Novel Osteogenic Sequences

A. OP1

1. DNA Sequence Identification and Characterization

These discoveries enable preparation of DNAs encoding totally novel,non-native (e.g., not known to occur in nature) protein constructs whichindividually as homodimers and combined with other related species,possibly as heterodimers, are capable of producing true endochondralbone. They also permit expression of the natural material, truncatedforms, muteins, analogs, fusion proteins, and various other variants andconstructs, from cDNAs and genomic DNAs retrieved from natural sourcesor from synthetic DNA produced using the techniques disclosed herein andautomated, commercially available equipment. The DNAs may be expressedusing well established recombinant DNA technologies in procaryotic oreucaryotic host cells, or in cell-free systems, and may be oxidized andrefolded in vitro if necessary for biological activity.

More specifically, a synthetic consensus gene shown in Seq. ID No. 33and FIG. 18, was designed as a hybridization probe (see U.S. Pat. No.4,968,590, filed Apr. 8, 1988.) The design was based on amino acidsequence data obtained by sequencing digestion fragments of naturallysourced material and on predictions from observed homologies of thesesequences with members of the TGF-β gene family. The consensusgene/probe exploited human codon bias as found in human TGF-β. Thedesigned sequence then was constructed using known assembly techniquesfor oligonucleotides manufactured in a DNA synthesizer. Table 6, below,shows the identified homologies between tryptic peptides derived frombOP and amino acid sequences from Drosophila DPP protein (as inferredfrom the gene) and the Xenopus Vgl protein, both of which show stronghomology with the bOP peptides, and TGF-beta and inhibin, which sharesomewhat less homology with the bOP peptides. TABLE 6 protein amino acidsequence homology (bOP) SFDAYYCSGACQFPS  (9/15 matches)   ***** * * **(DPP) GYDAYYCHGKCPFFL (bOP) SFDAYYCSGACQFPS  (6/15 matches)   * ** * *  * (Vgl) GYMANYCYGECPYPL (bOP) SFDAYYCSGACQFPS  (5/15matches)    * ** * * (inhibin) GYHANYCEGECPSHI (bOP) SFDAYYCSGACQFPS (4/15 matches)    *  * * * (TGF-βl) GYHANFCLGPCPYIW (bOP)K/RACCVPTELSAISMLYLDEN (12/20 matches)     *****  * ****  * * (Vgl)  LPCCVPTKMSPISMLFYDNN (bOP) K/RACCVPTELSAISMLYLDEN (12/20 matches) *  ***** *   **** * (inhibin)   KSCCVPTKLRPMSMLYYDDG (bOP)K/RACCVPTELSAISMLYLDEN (12/20 matches)   ******* *    **** (DPP)  KACCVPTQLDSVAMLYLNDQ (bOP) K/RACCVPTELSAISMLYLDE (6/19/ matches)    ****  *      * (TGF-βl)   APCCVPQALEPLPIVYYVG (bOP) LYVDF  (5/5/matches) ***** (DPP) LYVDF (bOP) LYVDF   (4/5 matches) *** * (Vgl) LYVEF(bOP) LYVDF   (4/5 matches) ** ** (TGF-βl) LYIDF (bOP) LYVDF   (2/4matches)   * * (inhibin) FFVSF* - match

In addition to its function as a probe, the consensus sequence also wasdesigned to act as a synthetic consensus gene for the expression of aconsensus osteogenic protein.

In determining the amino acid sequences of a consensus osteogenicprotein from which the nucleic acid sequence can be determined, thefollowing points are considered: (1) the amino acid sequence determinedby Edman degradation of osteogenic protein tryptic fragments is rankedhighest as long as it has a strong signal and shows homology orconservative changes when aligned with the other members of the genefamily; (2) where the sequence matches for all four proteins, it is usedin the synthetic gene sequence; (3) matching amino acids in DPP and Vglare used; (4) If Vgl or DPP diverged but either one is matched byTGF-beta or by inhibin, this matched amino acid is chosen; (5) where allsequences diverge, the DPP sequence is initially chosen, with a laterplan of creating the Vgl sequence by mutagenesis kept as a possibility.In addition, the consensus sequence is designed to preserve thedisulfide crosslinking and the apparent structural homology. Finally, asmore amino acid sequences of osteogenic proteins become available, theconsensus gene can be improved to match, using known methods ofsite-directed mutagenesis. In the process, & family of analogs can bedeveloped (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,691, filed Feb. 23,1989).

A human genomic library (Maniatis-library) carried in lambda phage(Charon 4A) was screened using the probe and the following hybridizationconditions: hybridizing in 5×SSPE, 10× Denhardt's Solution, 0.5% SDS at50° C. and washing in 1×SSPE, 0.5% SDS at 50° C. Twenty-four positiveclones were found. Five contained a gene encoding a protein never beforereported, designated OP1, osteogenic protein-1, described below. Twoothers yielded genes corresponding to the BMP-2B protein, and oneyielded a gene corresponding to the BMP3 protein (see PCT US 87/01537).

Southern blot analysis of lambda 113 DNA showed that an approximately 3kb BamHI fragment hybridized to the probe (see nucleotides 1036-1349 ofSeq. ID No. 3, and FIG. 18). This fragment was isolated and subcloned.Analysis of this sequence showed that the fragment encoded the carboxylterminus of a protein, herein named OP1. The protein was identified byamino acid homology with the TGF-β family. Consensus splice signals werefound where amino acid homologies ended, designating exon-intronboundaries. Three exons were combined to obtain a functional TGF-β-likedomain containing seven cysteines. The DNA sequence of the functionaldomain then was used as a probe to screen a human cDNA library asdescribed below.

The hOP1 probe was labeled with ³²P and used to screen a human placenta5′ stretch lambda phage cDNA library (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.), anda human hippocampus library (Stratagene, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.), usinghigh stringency hybridization conditions. Positive clones obtained fromthese libraries yielded a full length cDNA (translated region) for hOP1.This cDNA sequence, and the amino acid sequence it encodes, is set forthin Seq. ID No. 1. The partial genomic DNA sequence for the human OP1gene is listed in Seq. ID No. 3. The protein coding region is encoded inseven exons separated by six introns in the genomic sequence (see Seq.ID No. 3.) It is possible that, as has been found in certain othermammalian genes, one or more of the introns may include sequences havinga transcription regulatory function.

The native form protein is expressed originally as an immaturetranslation product referred to herein as a “prepro” form which includesa signal peptide sequence necessary for appropriate secretion of theprotein. Removal of the signal peptide yields the “pro” form of theprotein, which is processed further to yield the mature secretedprotein. Referring to Table I and Seq. ID No. 1, the amino acid sequenceof the prepro form of OP1 (herein referred to as hOP1-PP) is describedby residues 1-431. The amino acid residues 26 to 30 of Seq. ID No. 1 arebelieved to constitute a cleavage site for the removal of the N-terminalresidues, constituting the signal peptide. Residues 289-292 of Seq IDNo. 1 represent the pertinent Arg-Xaa-Xaa-Arg sequence where the proform is believed to be cut to produce the mature form (e.g., cleavageoccurs between residues 292 and 293.) Both the pro form and the preproform, when properly dimerized, folded, adsorbed on a matrix, andimplanted, display osteogenic activity, presumably due to proteolyticdegradation resulting in cleavage and generation of mature form proteinor active truncated analogs. (See Section II.A.2, infra). Mature OP1contains 3 potential N glycosylation sites; there is an additional sitein the precursor region.

The genomic clone lambda #18 DNA was found to contain the completesequence encoding the protein referred to herein as CBMP2B. The DNAsequence corresponds to the sequence termed human BMP-2 Class II(“BMP4”) in PCT US 87/01537. The CBMP2(b) gene consists of two exons.Exon 1 is approximately 0.37 kb and exon 2 (containing the TGF-β domain)is about 0.86 kb. The two exons are interrupted by an approximately 1 kbintron. Following the methodology used to identify the hOP1 cDNA, thecoding sequence of the genomic CBMP2(b) clone was used as a probe toclone the full-length CBMP2(b) cDNA from a human placenta 5′-stretchcDNA library (Clontech, Palo Alto.) This cDNA sequence, and thepredicted amino acid sequence it encodes, are set forth in Seq. ID No.6.

The cDNA encoding the protein referred to herein as CBMP2A was clonedusing the CBMP2(b) cDNA as a probe. The murine homolog first was clonedfrom a murine cDNA library and a portion of this cDNA sequence then usedas a probe to clone the human CBMP2(a) cDNA from a human hippocampuscDNA library (Stratagene, Inc., LaJolla) and a human fetal lung library.Each of these human cDNA libraries yielded partial length clones whichwere then fused to yield the full length CBMP2(a) cDNA clone. The cDNAsequence for CBMP2(a), and its predicted encoded amino acid sequence,are set forth in Seq. ID No. 4. The DNA sequence corresponds to thesequence termed human BMP-2 Class I (“BMP2”) in PCT US 87/01537.

The amino acid sequence corresponding to the conserved six cysteineskeleton in the active region of CBMP2B is described by amino acidresidues 313 to 408 of Seq. ID No. 6 (herein referred to as “CBMP2BS”where “S” refers to “short form.”) Similarly, the corresponding aminoacid sequence of CBMP2A (“CBMP2AS”) is described by amino acid residues301 to 396 of Seq. ID No. 4.

Longer sequences defining the seven cysteine skeleton, are “CBMP2AL”(residues 296 to 396 of ID No. 4), and “CBMP2BL” (residues 308 to 408 ofID No. 6), where “L” refers to “long form.”

Seq. ID Nos. 4 and 6 describe the human cDNA sequences for CBMP2(a) andCBMP2(b), respectively, as well as the encoded full-length, “prepro”forms of these proteins. Using the prediction methods devised by VonHeijne ((1986) Nucleic Acids Research 14:4683-4691), residues 20-24indicate the region for the presumed signal peptide cleavage site forCBMP2A (Seq. ID No. 4), and residues 23-24 of Seq. ID No. 6 indicate thepresumed cleavage site for CBMP2B. The cleavage site yielding the maturesequence of CBMP2A is believed to occur within the region described byresidues 271-282 of ID No. 4; and within the region described byresidues 280-292 of Seq. ID No. 6 for CBMP2B, although there remainsuncertainty regarding where precise cleavage occurs for this protein.Finally, the CBMP2 proteins contain 4 or 5 potential glycosylationsites.

The consensus probe also identified a human genomic clone encoding aprotein referred to herein as CBMP3. The DNA sequence corresponds to thesequence termed human BMP3 in PCT US 87/01357. A partial genomicsequence encoding part of the mature region of the CBMP3 protein is setforth in Seq. ID No. 20. Using the same general methodology as describedfor the cloning of the CBMP2B cDNA sequences, the murine cDNA encodingCBMP3 was cloned (“mCBMP3.”) The cDNA encoding the mature region of thisprotein, and the encoded amino acid sequence, are set forth in Seq. IDNo. 22.

Given the foregoing amino acid and DNA sequence information, variousDNAs can be constructed which encode at least a minimal sequenceencoding the active domain of OP1 and/or CBMP2, and various analogsthereof, as well as fusion proteins, truncated forms of the matureproteins, and similar constructs. Both the pro form and the prepro formare active, presumably because of in situ cleavage events or generationof active products by cleavage during protein processing. These DNAs canbe produced by those skilled in the art using well known DNAmanipulative techniques involving genomic and cDNA isolation,construction of synthetic DNA from synthesized oligonucleotides, andcassette mutagenesis techniques. 15-100mer oligonucleotides may besynthesized on a Biosearch DNA Model 8600 Synthesizer, and purified bypolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in Tris-Borate-EDTA buffer.The DNA then is electroeluted from the gel. Overlapping oligomers may bephosphorylated by T4 polynucleotide kinase and ligated into largerblocks which may also be purified by PAGE.

The cDNA or synthetic DNA then may be integrated into an expressionvector and transfected into an appropriate host cell for proteinexpression. Because both the glycosylated and unglycosylated protein areactive, the host may be a procaryotic or eucaryotic cell. Useful hostcells include E. coli, Saccharomyces, the insect/baculovirus cellsystem, myeloma cells, and various other mammalian cells. The proteinsof this invention preferably are expressed in mammalian cells, asdisclosed herein. The vector additionally may include various sequencesto promote correct expression of the recombinant protein, includingtranscription promoter and termination sequences, enhancer sequences,preferred ribosome binding site sequences, preferred mRNA leadersequences, preferred protein processing sequences, preferred signalsequences for protein secretion, and the like. The DNA sequence encodingthe gene of interest also may be manipulated to remove potentiallyinhibiting sequences or to minimize unwanted secondary structureformation. The recombinant osteogenic protein also may be expressed as afusion protein. After being translated, the protein may be purified fromthe cells themselves or recovered from the culture medium. Allbiologically active protein forms comprise dimeric species joined bydisulfide bonds or otherwise associated, produced by oxidizing andrefolding one or more of the various recombinant proteins within anappropriate eucaryotic cell or in vitro after expression of individualsubunits.

2. Expression in E. coli

Using such techniques, various fusion genes can be constructed to inducerecombinant expression of osteogenic sequences in a procaryotic hostsuch as E. coli. In particular, the following DNAs have been prepared:Fusion DNA Sequences Osteogenic Fusion Proteins OP1(a) OP1A (Seq. ID No.8) OP1(b) OP1B (Seq. ID No. 10) OP1(c) OP1C (Seq. ID No. 12) OP1(d) OP1D(Seq. ID No. 14) CBMP2b1 CBMP2B1 (Seq. ID No. 16) CBMP2b2 CBMP2B2 (Seq.ID No. 18)

Construct OP1(a) is a cDNA sequence encoding substantially all of themature form of OP1 (residues 326-431, Seq. ID No. 1) linked by anAsp-Pro acid cleavage site to a leader sequence (“MLE leader”, aminoacid residues 1-60 of Seq. ID No. 8) suitable for promoting expressionin E. coli. OP1(b) (Seq. ID No. 10) encodes a truncated “pro” form ofOP1. The sequence comprises the MLE leader linked to an OP1 sequencewhich begins within the precursor (“prepro”) sequence (beginning atresidue 176 of Seq. ID No. 1). OP1(c) comprises an MLE leader peptide(residues 1-53 of Seq. ID No. 12) linked to the full prepro form of OP1cDNA including the presumed signal peptide (e.g., residues 1-29 of Seq.ID No. 1). OP1(d) comprises a leader sequence (“short TRP,” residues1-13 of Seq. ID No. 14), an Asp-Pro cleavage site, and the presumedentire pro form of the OP1 protein (residues 39-431 of Seq. ID No. 1).CBMP2b1 (Seq. ID No. 16) comprises the MLE leader (residues 1-56, Seq.ID No. 16) linked through an Asp-Pro acid cleavage site to substantiallyall of the mature form of CBMP2B (residues 296-408 of Seq. ID No. 6).Approximately one half of this construct comprised cDNA; the other halfwas synthesized from oligonucleotides. CBMP2b2 comprises the MLE leader(residues 1-60 of ID No. 18) linked to substantially all of the fulllength pro form of CBMP2B (residues 52-408 of Seq. ID No. 6).

The genes were expressed in E. coli under the control of a synthetic trppromoter-operator to produce insoluble inclusion bodies. The inclusionbodies were solubilized in 8M urea following lysis, dialyzed against 1%acetic acid, and partly purified by differential solubilization.Constructs containing the Asp-Pro site were cleaved with acid. Theresulting products were passed through a Sephacryl-200HR or SP Trisacylcolumn to further purify the proteins, and then subjected to HPLC on asemi-prep C-18 column to separate the leader proteins and other minorimpurities from the OP1, or CBMP2 constructs. Both the CBMP2 and OP1proteins may be purified by chromatography on heparin-Sepharose. Theoutput of the HPLC column was lyophilized at pH 2 so that it remainsreduced.

Conditions for refolding were at pH 8.0 using Tris buffer and 6Mguanidine-HCl at a protein concentration of several mg/ml. Thosesolutions were diluted with water to produce a 2M or 3M guanidineconcentration and left for 18 hours at 4° C. Air dissolved or entrainedin the buffer assures oxidation of the protein in these circumstances.

Samples of the various purified constructs and various mixtures of pairsof the constructs refolded together were applied to SDS polyacrylamidegels, separated by electrophoresis, sliced, incorporated in a matrix asdisclosed below, and tested for osteogenic activity. These studiesdemonstrated that each of the constructs disclosed above have trueosteogenic activity. Thus, both the pro form and prepro form, whenproperly dimerized, folded, adsorbed on a matrix, and implanted, displayosteogenic activity, presumably due to proteolytic degradation resultingin cleavage and generation of mature form protein or active truncatedspecies. In addition, mixed species also are osteogenically active andmay include heterodimers. Specific combinations tested include:OP1A-CBMP2B1, OP1B-CMP2B1, and OP1C-CBMP2B2. Finally, single and mixedspecies of analogs of the active region, e.g., COP5 and COP7, disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,691, also induce osteogenesis, as determined byhistological examination.

After N-terminal sequencing of the various constructs to confirm theiridentity, polyclonal antisera against the recombinant presumed matureform proteins were produced. The human OP1 antisera reacted with boththe glycosylated and unglycosylated higher molecular weight subunits ofnaturally sourced bovine material. Antisera against recombinant maturehuman CBMP2 reacted with both the glycosylated and unglycosylated lowermolecular weight subunit of naturally sourced bovine material. Whilethere was some cross-reactivity, this was expected in view of thesignificant homology between CBMP2 and OP1 (approx. 60% identity), andthe likelihood that degraded OP1 generated during purificationcontaminates the lower molecular weight subunit. Both antisera reactwith the naturally sourced 30 kDa dimeric bOP.

3. Mammalian Cell Expression

As stated earlier, it is generally held that recombinant production ofmammalian proteins for therapeutic uses are preferably expressed inmammalian cell culture systems in order to produce a protein whosestructure is most like that of the natural material. Recombinant proteinproduction in mammalian cells requires the establishment of appropriatecells and cell lines that are easy to transfect, are capable of stablymaintaining foreign DNA with an unrearranged sequence, and which havethe necessary cellular components for efficient transcription,translation, post-translation modification, and secretion of theprotein. In addition, a suitable vector carrying the gene of interestalso is necessary. DNA vector design for transfection into mammaliancells should include appropriate sequences to promote expression of thegene of interest as described supra, including appropriate transcriptioninitiation, termination, and enhancer sequences, as well as sequencesthat enhance translation efficiency, such as the Kozak consensussequence. Preferred DNA vectors also include a marker gene and means foramplifying the copy number of the gene of interest.

Substantial progress in the development of mammalian cell expressionsystems has been made in the last decade and many aspects of the systemare well characterized. A detailed review of the state of the art of theproduction of foreign proteins in mammalian cells, including usefulcells, protein expression-promoting sequences, marker genes, and geneamplification methods, is disclosed in Bendig, Mary M., (1988) GeneticEngineering 7:91-127.

Briefly, among the best characterized transcription promoters useful forexpressing a foreign gene in a particular mammalian cell are the SV40early promoter, the adenovirus promoter (AdMLP), the mousemetallothionein-I promoter (mMT-I), the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) longterminal repeat (LTR), the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminalrepeat (MMTV-LTR), and the human cytomegalovirus majorintermediate-early promoter (hCMv). The DNA sequences for all of thesepromoters are known in the art and are available commercially.

One of the better characterized methods of gene amplification inmammalian cell systems is the use of the selectable DHFR gene in a dhfrcell line. Generally, the DHFR gene is provided on the vector carryingthe gene of interest, and addition of increasing concentrations of thecytotoxic drug methotrexate leads to amplification of the DHFR gene copynumber, as well as that of the associated gene of interest. DHFR as aselectable, amplifiable marker gene in transfected chinese hamster ovarycell lines (CHO cells) is particularly well characterized in the art.Other useful amplifiable marker genes include the adenosine deaminase(ADA) and glutamine synthetase. (GS) genes.

In the currently preferred expression system, gene amplification isfurther enhanced by modifying marker gene expression regulatorysequences (e.g., enhancer, promoter, and transcription or translationinitiation sequences) to reduce the levels of marker protein produced.As disclosed herein, lowering the level of DHFR transcription has theeffect of increasing the DHFR gene copy number (and the associated OP1gene) in order for a transfected cell to adapt to grow in even lowlevels of MTX (e.g., 0.1 μM MTX). Preferred expression vectors (pH754and pH752), have been manipulated using standard recombinant DNAtechnology, to create a weak DHFR promoter (see infra). As will beappreciated by those skilled in the art, other useful weak promoters,different from those disclosed and preferred herein, can be constructedusing standard vector construction methodologies. In addition, other,different regulatory sequences also can be modified to achieve the sameeffect.

The choice of cells/cell lines is also important and depends on theneeds of the experimenter. Monkey kidney cells (COS) provide high levelsof transient gene expression, providing a useful means for rapidlytesting vector construction and the expression of cloned genes. COScells are transfected with a simian virus 40 (SV40) vector carrying thegene of interest. The transfected COS cells eventually die, thuspreventing the long term production of the desired protein product.However, transient expression does not require the time consumingprocess required for the development of a stable cell line.

Among established cell lines, CHO cells may be the best characterized todate, and are the currently preferred cell line for mammalian cellexpression of recombinant osteogenic protein. CHO cells are capable ofexpressing proteins from a broad range of cell types. The generalapplicability of CHO cells and its successful production for a widevariety of human proteins in unrelated cell types emphasizes theunderlying similarity of all mammalian cells. Thus, while theglycosylation pattern on a recombinant protein produced in a mammaliancell expression system may not be identical to the natural protein, thedifferences in oligosaccharide side chains are often not essential forbiological activity of the expressed protein.

Methods for expressing and purifying recombinant osteogenic proteinssuch as OP1 from a variety of mammalian cells, the nature of thexenogenic matrix, and other material aspects concerning the nature,utility, and how to make and how to use the subject matter claimed willbe further understood from the following, which constitutes the bestmethod currently known for practicing the invention. The methodologydisclosed herein includes the use of COS cells for the rapid evaluationof vector construction and gene expression, and the use of establishedcell lines for long term protein production. Of the cell linesdisclosed, OP1 expression from CHO cell lines currently is mostpreferred.

3.1 Recombinant Protein Expression In Mammalian Cells

Several different mammalian cell expression systems have been used toexpress recombinant OP1 proteins of this invention. In particular, COScells are used for the rapid assessment of vector construction and geneexpression, using an SV40 vector to transfect the DNA sequence into COScells. Stable cell lines are developed using CHO cells (chinese hamsterovary cells) and a temperature-sensitive strain of BSC cells (simiankidney cells, BSC40-tsA58, (1988) Biotechnology 6: 1192-1196) for thelong term production of OP1. Two different promoters were found mostuseful to transcribe hOP1: the CMV promoter and the MMTV promoter,boosted by the enhancer sequence from the Rous sarcoma virus LTR. ThemMT promoter (mouse metallothionein promoter) and the SV40 late promoteralso have been tested. Several selection marker genes also are used,namely, neo (neomycin) and DHFR. The DHFR gene also may be used as partof a gene amplification scheme for CHO cells. Another gene amplificationscheme relies on the temperature sensitivity (ts) of BSC40-tsA58 cellstransfected with an SV40 vector. Temperature reduction to 33° C.stabilizes the ts SV40 T antigen which leads to the excision andamplification of the integrated transfected vector DNA, thereby alsoamplifying the associated gene of interest.

Stable cell lines were established for CHO cells as well as BSC40-tsA58cells (hereinafter referred to as “BSC cells”). The various cells, celllines and DNA sequences chosen for mammalian cell expression of the OP1proteins of this invention are well characterized in the art and arereadily available. Other promoters, selectable markers, geneamplification methods and cells also may be used to express the OP1proteins of this invention, as well as other osteogenic proteins.Particular details of the transfection, expression, and purification ofrecombinant proteins are well documented in the art and are understoodby those having ordinary skill in the art. Further details on thevarious technical aspects of each of the steps used in recombinantproduction of foreign genes in mammalian cell expression systems can befound in a number of texts and laboratory manuals in the art, such as,for example, F. M. Ausubel et al., ed., Current Protocols in MolecularBiology, John Wiley & Sons, New York, (1989.)

3.2 Exemplary Expression Vectors

FIG. 19 (A-F) discloses restriction maps of various exemplary expressionvectors designed for OP1 expression in mammalian cells. Each of thesevector constructs employs a full-length hOP1 cDNA sequence originallyisolated from a human cDNA library (human placenta) and subsequentlycloned into a conventional pUC vector (pUC-18) using pUC polylinkersequences at the insertion sites. The hOP1 cDNA fragment cloned intoeach of these constructs is either the intact SmaI-BamHI hOP1 cDNAfragment (nucleotides 26-1385 of Seq. ID No. 1), or modifications ofthis fragment where the flanking non-coding 5′ and/or 3′ sequences havebeen trimmed back, using standard molecular biology methodology. Eachvector also employs an SV40 origin of replication (ori), useful formediating plasmid replication in primate cells (e.g., COS and BSCcells). In addition, the early SV40 promoter is used to drivetranscription of marker genes on the vector (e.g., neo and DHFR). Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that DNA sequencesencoding truncated forms of the osteogenic protein also may be used,provided that the expression vector or host cell then provides thesequences necessary to direct processing and secretion of the expressedprotein.

The pH717 expression vector (FIG. 19A) contains the neomycin (neo) geneas a selection marker. This marker gene is well characterized in the artand is available commercially. Alternatively, other selectable markersmay be used. The particular vector used to provide the neo gene DNAfragment for pH717 may be obtained from Clontech, Inc., Palo Alto,Calif. (pMAM-neo-blue). This vector also may be used as the backbone. InpH717, hOP1 DNA transcription is driven by the CMV promoter, boosted bythe RSV-LTR and MMTV-LTR (mouse mammary tumor virus) enhancer sequences.These sequences are known in the art, and are available commercially.For example, vectors containing the CMV promoter sequence may beobtained from Invitrogen Inc., San Diego, Calif., (e.g., pCDM8).

Expression vector pH731 (FIG. 19B), utilizes the SV40 late promoter todrive hOP1 transcription. As indicated above, the sequence andcharacteristics of this promoter also are well known in the art. Forexample, pH731 may be generated by inserting the SmaI-BamHI fragment ofhOP1 into pEUK-Cl (Clontech, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.).

The pH752 and pH754 expression vectors contain the DHFR gene, under SV40early promoter control, as both a selection marker and as an induciblegene amplifier. The DNA sequence for DHFR is well characterized in theart, and is available commercially. For example, pH754 may be generatedfrom pMAM-neo (Clontech, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.) by replacing the neogene (BamHI digest) with an SphI-BamHI, or a PvuII-BamHI fragment frompSVS-DHFR (ATCC #37148), which contains the DHFR gene under SV40 earlypromoter control. A BamHI site can be engineered at the SphI or PvuIIsite using standard techniques (e.g., by linker insertion orsite-directed mutagenesis) to allow insertion of the fragment into thevector backbone. hOP1 DNA can be inserted into the polylinker sitedownstream of the MMTV-LTR sequence (mouse mammary tumor virus LTR),yielding pH752 (FIG. 19D). The CMV promoter sequence then may beinserted into pH752 (e.g., from pCDM8, Invitrogen, Inc.), yielding pH754(FIG. 19C.) The SV40 early promoter, which drives DHFR expression, ismodified in these vectors to reduce the level of DHFR mRNA produced.Specifically, the enhancer sequences and part of the promoter sequencehave been deleted, leaving only about 200 bases of the promoter sequenceupstream of the DHFR gene. Host cells transfected with these vectors areadapted to grow in 0.1 μM MTX and can increase OP1 productionsignificantly (see Table 8.).

The pW24 vector (FIG. 19E), is essentially identical in sequence top754, except that neo is used as the marker gene (see pH717), in placeof DHFR.

Similarly, pH783 (FIG. 19F) contains the amplifiable marker DHFR, buthere OP1 is under mMT (mouse metallothionein promoter) control. The mMTpromoter is well characterized in the art and is available commercially.

All vectors tested are stable in the various cells used to express OP1,and provide a range of OP1 expression levels.

3.3 Exemplary Mammalian Cells

Recombinant OP1 has been expressed in three different cell expressionsystems: COS cells for rapidly screening the functionality of thevarious expression vector constructs, CHO cells for the establishment ofstable cell lines, and BSC40-tsA58 cells as an alternative means ofproducing OP1 protein. The CHO cell expression system disclosed hereinis contemplated to be the best mode currently known for long termrecombinant OP1 production in mammalian cells.

a) COS Cells

COS cells (simian kidney cells) are used for rapid screening of vectorconstructs and for immediate, small scale production of OP1 protein. COScells are well known in the art and are available commercially. Theparticular cell line described herein may be obtained through theAmerican Type Culture Collection (ATCC #COS-1, CRL-1650).

OP1 expression levels from different vectors, analyzed by Northern andWestern blot assays, are compared in Table 7 below: TABLE 7 ANALYSIS OFOP1 EXPRESSION IN COS CELLS Vector mRNA OP1 Production pH717 +++ ++pH731 + + pH752 +++ ++++ pH754 +++ ++++

pH752- and pH754-transfected COS cells appear to produce the highestyield of OP1 to date. However, because transfected COS cells do notdivide and die several days post-transfection, large amounts ofplasmid-DNA are required for each scaled up transformation.

Large scale preparations of OP1 from transfected COS cells may beproduced using conventional roller bottle technology. Briefly, 14×10⁶cells are used to seed each bottle. After 24 hrs of growth, the cellsare transfected with 10 μg of vector DNA (e.g., pH717) per 10⁶ cells,using the DEAE-dextran method. Cells are then conditioned in serum-freemedia for 120 hr before harvesting the media for protein analysis.Following this protocol, OP1 yield is approximately 2-6 ng/ml.

b) BSC Cells

The BSC40-tsA58 cell line (“BSC cells”) is a temperature-sensitivestrain of simian kidney cells ((1988), Biotechnology 6: 1192-1196) whichovercomes some of the problems associated with COS cells. These BSCcells have the advantage of being able to amplify gene sequences rapidlyon a large scale with temperature downshift, without requiring theaddition of exogenous, potentially toxic drugs. In addition, the cellsmay be recycled. That is, after induction and stimulation of OP1expression, the cells may be transferred to new growth medium, grown toconfluence at 39.5° C. and induced a second time by downshifting thetemperature to 33° C. BSC cells may be used to establish stable celllines rapidly for protein production.

OP1 expression in transfected BSC cells may be induced by shifting thetemperature down to 33° C., in media containing 10% FCS, and harvestingthe conditioned media after 96 hrs of incubation. Comparable amounts ofOP1 mRNA and protein are obtained, as compared with CHO cells (e.g.,100-150 ng OP1/ml conditioned media from BSC clones transfected withpH717, see infra).

c) CHO Cells

CHO cells (chinese hamster ovary cells) may be used for long term OP1production and are the currently preferred cell line for mammalian cellexpression of OP1. CHO cell lines are well characterized for the smalland large scale production of foreign genes and are availablecommercially. The particular cell line described herein is CHO-DXB11,(Lawrence Chasin, Columbia University, NY). Table 8, below, showsexemplary OP1 yields obtained with a variety of expression vectors.TABLE 8 Selection OP1 Production CHO Cells Plasmid Marker ng/ml pH717NEO 2-5 * pH752/pH754 DHFR 100-150* Cells are adapted to grow in 0.1 μM methotrexate

CHO cells may be transfected by conventional calcium phosphatetechnique. CHO cells preferably are transfected with pH754 or pH752 andare conditioned in media containing serum proteins, as this appears toenhance OP1 yields. Useful media includes media containing 0.1-0.5%dialyzed fetal calf serum (FCS).

The currently preferred best mode for establishing a stable OP1production cell line with high hOP1 expression levels comprisestransfecting a stable CHO cell line, preferably CHO-DXB11, with thepH752 OP1 expression vector, isolating clones with high OP1 expressionlevels, and subjecting these clones to cycles of subcloning using alimited dilution method described below to obtain a population of highexpression clones. Subcloning preferably is performed in the absence ofMTX to identify stable high expression clones which do not requireaddition of MTX to the growth media for OP1 production.

In the subcloning protocol cells are seeded on ten 100 mm petri dishesat a cell density of either 50 or 100 cells per plate, with orpreferably without MTX in the culture media. After 14 days of growth,clones are isolated using cloning cylinders and standard procedures, andcultured in 24-well plates. Clones then are screened for OP1 expressionby Western immunoblots using standard procedures, and OP1 expressionlevels compared to parental lines. Cell line stability of highexpression subclones then is determined by monitoring OP1 expressionlevels over multiple cell passages (e.g., four or five passages).

3.4 Evaluation of OP1 transfected cells

Expression levels of transfected OP1 sequences can be measured in thedifferent systems by analyzing mRNA levels (Northern blots), using totalcellular RNA and conventional hybridization methodology. Generally,about 1×10⁶ cells are needed for mRNA analysis. Data between individualcell lines can be compared if the total number of cells and the totalamount of mRNA is normalized, using rRNA as an internal standard.Ribosomal RNA is visualized in the agarose gel by ethidium bromide stainprior to transfer of the RNA to nitrocellulose sheets for hybridization.Ribosomal RNA also provides an indicator, of the integrity of the RNApreparation.

OP1 protein levels also may be measured by Western blots (immunoblots)using rabbit antisera against human OP1. FIG. 20 is an immunoblotshowing OP1 production in: COS cells—(20A) pH717, (20B) pH731; CHOcells—(20C) pH754, (20D) pH752; and BSC cells—(20E) pH717 and (20F)pW24.

Southern blots may be used to assess the state of integrated OP1sequences and the extent of their copy number amplification. The copynumber of excised plasmids in temperature-shifted BSC cells also can bedetermined using Southern blot analysis.

3.5 Protein Purification

The purification scheme developed to purify the recombinant osteogenicproteins of this invention is rapid and highly effective. The protocolinvolves three chromatographic steps (S-Sepharose, phenyl-Sepharose andC- 18 HPLC), and produces OP1 of about 90% purity.

For a typical 2L preparation of transfected BSC cells conditioned in0.5% FCS, the total protein is 700 mg. The amount of OP1 in the media,estimated by Western blot, is about 80 μg. OP1 media is diluted to 6Murea, 0.0SM NaCl, 13 mM HEPES, pH 7.0 and loaded onto an S-Sepharosecolumn, which acts as a strong cation exchanger. OP1 binds to the columnin low salt, and serum proteins are removed. The column is subsequentlydeveloped with two step salt elutions. The first elution (0.1M NaCl)removes contaminants and approximately 10% of the bound OP1. Theremaining 90% of OP1 then is eluted in 6M urea, 0.3M NaCl, 20 mM HEPES,pH 7.0.

Ammonium sulfate is added to the 0.3M NaCl fraction to obtain finalsolution conditions of 6M urea, 1M (NH₄)₂SO₄, 0.3M NaCl, 20 mM HEPES, pH7.0. The sample then is loaded onto a phenyl-Sepharose column(hydrophobic interaction chromatography). OP1 binds phenyl-Sepharose inthe presence of high concentrations of a weak chaotropic salt (e.g., 1M(NH₄)₂SO₄). Once OP1 is bound, the column is developed with two stepelutions using decreasing concentrations of ammonium sulfate. The firstelution (containing 0.6M (NH₄)₂SO₄) primarily removes contaminants. Thebound OP1 then is eluted with a 6M urea, 0.3M NaCl, 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.0buffer containing no ammonium sulfate.

The OP1 eluted from the phenyl-Sepharose column is dialyzed againstwater, followed by 30% acetonitrile (0.1% TFA), and then applied to aC-18 reverse phase HPLC column. FIGS. 21A, 21C, and 21E arechromatograms and FIGS. 21B, 21D, and 21F are Coomassie-stained SDS-PAGEgels of fractions after reduction with dithiothreitol (DTT) eluting fromthe (21A, 21D) S-Sepharose, (21B, 21E) phenyl-Sepharose, and (21C, 21F)C-18 columns. Gel separation of oxidized and reduced OP1 samples showthat the reduced subunit has an apparent molecular weight of about 18kDa, and the dimer has an apparent molecular weight of about 36 kDa, asillustrated in FIG. 22. The subunit size appears to be identical to thatpurified from COS cells, as well as that of the naturally-sourced OPpurified from bone. This purification protocol yields about 30 μg of OP1for 2L of conditioned media, a recovery of about 25% of the total OP1 inthe conditioned media, as estimated by gel scanning.

An alternative chromatography protocol is to perform the S-Sepharosechromatography in the absence of 6 M urea. The bound proteins then areeluted with salt step elutions (e.g., 100-400 mM NaCl). Most of the OP1is eluted with about 300 mM NaCl. Additional OP1 then can be eluted with300 mM NaCl in the presence of 6M urea. The 6M urea elution also may beused in place of the non-urea elution to achieve maximum recovery in onestep. In addition, OP1 may be eluted from the phenyl-Sepharose column in38% ethanol-0.01% TFA, thereby eliminating the need to dialyze theeluent before applying it to the C-18 column. Finally, multiple C-18columns may be used (e.g., three), to further enhance purification andconcentration of the protein.

OP1 also will bind hydroxyapatite efficiently, but only in the absenceof 6 M urea and at low phosphate concentrations (less than 5 mMphosphate). Bound OP1 can be removed from the column with a step elutionof 1 mM to 0.5M phosphate (in 0.5 M NaCl, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.0). OP1elutes at about 250 mM phosphate. Additionally, urea (6M) may be addedduring the elution step.

Other related chromatography methods also may be useful in purifying OP1from eucaryotic cell culture systems. For example, heparin-Sepharose maybe used in combination with the S-Sepharose column. Alternatively,Cu²⁺-immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) will bind OP1in a phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 6M urea.

3.6 Protein Characterization

Recombinant osteogenic protein expression in COS cells yieldsessentially a single species having an apparent molecular weight of 18kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis. Subsequent N-terminalsequencing data indicates that this species contains the intact matureOP1 sequence, referred to herein as “OP1-18Ser” (“Ser Thr Gly . . . ”,beginning at residue 293 of Seq. ID No. 1.) Both the BSC and CHOpreparations, by contrast, contain both the intact mature sequence andone or more active degraded species.

BSC cell-derived preparations yield two major species having an apparentmolecular weight of about 18 kDa and 16 kDa, and a minor species ofabout 23 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis. N-terminal sequencingof the two major species using standard techniques reveals that the 18kDa species, like the COS-derived OP1 protein, contains the intactmature form of OP1 (OP1-18Ser). The 16 kDa fraction appears to containfive species of the mature sequence, having different N-termini. Oneform, “OP1-16Ser,” has its N-terminus at +8 of the mature sequence (“SerGln Asn . . . ”, beginning at residue 300 of Seq. ID No. 1.) A secondspecies, referred to herein as “OP1-16Leu”, has its N-terminus at +21 ofthe mature sequence+(“Leu Arg Met . . . ”, beginning at residue 313 ofSeq. ID No. 1). A third and fourth species, referred to herein asOP1-16Met- and OP1-16Ala, have their N-termini at +23 and +24,respectively, of the mature OP1 sequence. (See Seq. ID No. 1: OP1-16Metbegins at residue 315, “Met Ala Asn . . . ”, and OP1-16Ala begins atresidue 316, “Ala Asn Val . . . ”.) Finally, a fifth degraded specieshas its N-terminus at +26 of the mature sequence (“Val Ala Glu . . . ”,beginning at residue 318 of Seq. ID No. 1) and is referred to herein as“OP1-16Val.” The various species are listed in Table 1 and theirN-termini are presented in FIG. 33. Biochemical analyses and in vivobioassays indicate all species are active (see infra). Preliminarysequencing data of the minor species migrating at 23 kDa suggests thatthis species also contains the mature active sequence. Accordingly, theprotein's altered mobility on an electrophoresis gel may be due to analtered glycosylation pattern.

Similarly, CHO-derived OP1 preparations generally produce three specieshaving an apparent molecular weight within the range of 15-20 kDa, asdetermined by SDS-PAGE (specifically, 19 kDa, 17 kDa, and 15 kDa). Aminor species also migrates at about 23 kDa. N-terminal and C-terminalsequencing (by CNBr analysis) of proteins in the different fractionsreveals that CHO expression produces the same species of OP1 proteins asproduced by BSC cell expression, but having different electrophoreticmobility on an SDS polyacrylamide gel. Both the 19 kDa and the 17 kDaprotein fractions contain the intact mature form of OP1 (OP1-18Ser) andthe OP1-16Ser degraded form. Preliminary sequencing data of the 23 kDaspecies suggest that this species also contains the intact mature formof OP1. Finally, N-terminal sequencing of the protein species migratingat 15 kDa indicates that proteins in this fraction contain the otherfour degraded forms of OP1 identified in the BSC cell system: OP1-16Leu,OP1-16Met, OP1-16Ala and OP1-16Val. These data suggest that the apparentmolecular weight differences among the various OP1 species detected maybe due primarily to variations in their glycosylation patterns. Inaddition, protein glycosylation pattern variations are a knowncharacteristic of CHO expression systems. In vivo bioassays of all OP1species detected indicate that all truncated forms are active (seeinfra).

The glycosylation patterns of the proteins in the various OP1preparations can be investigated by measuring their reactivity withdifferent lectins, using standard methodologies. Here, reactivity withConcanavalin A (Con A), which binds to the mannose core region, andWheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), which binds to N-acetyl glucosamine(GlcNAc) and sialic acid (SA) residues, was measured. Results indicatethat there may be substantial variation among the glycosylation patternsof the various OP1 species. Con A reacts strongly with both theCHO-derived 17 kDa species and the BSC-derived 16 and 18 kDa species,but only weakly with the other species. Conversely, WGA reacts stronglyonly with the 19 kDa and 23 kDa CHO-derived species and the 18 and 23kDa BSC-derived proteins. These results further suggest that variationsin the electrophoretic migration patterns of the various OP1preparations reflect variations in protein glycosylation patterns, whichappear to be host cell-specific characteristics.

The various different OP1 preparations also have been analyzed bystandard HPLC chromatography. Preparations of OP1 from both CHO and BSCcells have very similar characteristics by HPLC analysis in oxidized,reduced, pyridylethylated or degraded forms. Although distinct bySDS-PAGE analysis, the differences between the different cell typepreparations appear insufficient to influence the binding to HPLC C-18columns.

Accordingly, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it isanticipated that active mature OP1 sequences can be expressed from otherdifferent procaryotic and eucaryotic cell expression systems asdisclosed herein. The proteins produced may have varying N-termini, andthose expressed from eucaryotic cells may have varying glycosylationpatterns. Finally, it will also be appreciated that these variations inthe recombinant osteogenic protein produced will be characteristic ofthe host cell expression system used rather than of the protein itself.

B. Identification of Additional, Novel Osteogenic Sequences

In an effort to identify additional DNA sequences encoding osteogenicproteins, a hybridization probe specific to the DNA sequence encodingthe C-terminus of the mature OP1 protein was prepared using a StuI-EcoR1digest fragment of hOP1 (base pairs 1034-1354 in Seq. ID No. 1), andlabelled with ³²P by nick translation, as described in the art. Asdisclosed supra, applicants have previously shown that the OP1C-terminus encodes a key functional domain e.g., the “active region” forosteogenic activity (OPS or OP7). The C-terminus also is the region ofthe protein whose amino acid sequence shares specific amino acidsequence homology with particular proteins in the TGF-β super-family ofregulatory proteins and which includes the conserved cysteine skeleton.

Approximately 7×10⁵ phages of an oligo (dT) primed 17.5 days p.c. mouseembryo 5′ stretch cDNA (gt10) library (Clontech, Inc., Palo Alto,Calif.) was screened with the labelled probe. The screen was performedusing the following hybridization conditions: 40% formamide, 5×SSPE, 5×Denhardt's Solution, 0.1% SDS, at 37° C. overnight, and washing in0.1×SSPE, 0.1% SDS at 50° C. Where only partial clones were obtained,the complete gene sequence was subsequently determined by screeningeither a second cDNA library (e.g., mouse PCC4 cDNA (ZAP) library,Stratagene, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.), or a mouse genomic library (e.g.,Clontech, Inc., Palo, Alto, Calif.).

Five recombinant phages were purified over three rounds of screening.Phage DNA was prepared from all five phages, subjected to an EcoR1digest, subcloned into the EcoR1 site of a common pUC-type plasmidmodified to allow single strand sequencing, and sequenced using meanswell known in the art.

Two different mouse DNA sequences, referred to herein as mOP1 and mOP2,were identified by this procedure. The characteristics of the proteinsencoded by these sequences are described below.

1. mOP1.

mOP1 is the murine homolog of hOP1. The cDNA and encoded amino acidsequence for the full length mOP1 protein is depicted in Sequence ID No.24. The full-length form of the protein is referred to as the preproform of mOP1 (“mOP1-PP”), and includes a signal peptide sequence at itsN-terminus. The amino acid sequence Ser-Ala-Leu-Ala-Asp (amino acidresidues 26-30 in Seq. ID No. 24) is believed to constitute the cleavagesite for the removal of the signal peptide sequence, leaving anintermediate form of the protein, the “pro” form, to be secreted fromthe expressing cell. The amino acid sequence Arg-Ser-Ile-Arg-Ser (aminoacid residue nos. 288-292 in Sequence ID No. 24) is believed toconstitute the cleavage site that produces the mature form of theprotein, herein referred to as “mOP1-Ser” and described by amino acidresidues 292-430 of Seq. ID No. 24. The amino acid sequence defining theconserved 6 cysteine skeleton of the mOP1 active region is defined byresidues 334-430 of Seq. ID No. 24.

FIGS. 23A and 23B compare the amino acid sequence homology of the maturehOP1 and mOP1 proteins (OP1-18Ser and mOP1-Ser). Amino acid identity isindicated by three dots ( . . . ). As can be seen in this figure, themature form of mOP1, mOP1-Ser, shares significant amino acid sequencehomology with OP1-18Ser (98% identity), differing at only threepositions in this region. Like OP1-18Ser, mOP1-Ser has a seven cysteinefunctional domain. In addition, the prepro form of the mOP1 proteinshows substantially the same homology with that of OP1. The high degreeof amino acid sequence homology shared by the mature proteins is notsurprising as the amino acid sequences of the mature forms of otherTGF-β-like proteins generally also have been found to be highlyconserved across different animal species (e.g., compare Vgr and Vgl,two related genes isolated from mouse and Xenopus, respectively). Thehigh degree of amino acid sequence homology exhibited between the matureforms of the two animal species of OP1 proteins suggests that the mOP1protein will purify essentially as OP1 does, or with only minormodifications of the protocols disclosed for OP1. Similarly, purifiedmOP1-Ser is predicted to have an apparent molecular weight of about 36kDa as a glycosylated oxidized homodimer, and about 18 kDa as a reducedsingle subunit, as determined by comparison with molecular weightstandards on an SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis gel. There appear tobe three potential N glycosylation sites in the mature protein. Theunglycosylated homodimer (e.g., one expressed from E. coli) is predictedto have a molecular weight of about 27 kDa.

2. OP2

2.1 mOP2

The cDNA encoding the C-terminus of mOP2 protein first was identifiedfollowing the procedure for retrieving mOP1 DNA. The 5′ end of the genewas identified subsequently by screening a second mouse cDNA library(Mouse PCC4 cDNA (ZAP) library, Stratagene, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.).

Mouse OP2 (mOP2) protein shares significant amino acid sequence homologywith the amino acid sequence of the OP1 active region, e.g., OPS or OP7,about 74% identity, and less homology with the intact mature form, e.g.,OP1-18Ser, about 58% identity. The mOP2 protein differs from the OP1protein by only one non-conservative amino acid change in the activeregion. The cDNA sequence, and the encoded amino acid sequence, for thefull length mOP2 protein are depicted in Sequence ID No. 26. Thefull-length form of the protein is referred to as the prepro form ofmOP2 (“mOP2-PP”), and includes a signal peptide sequence at itsN-terminus. The amino acid sequence Leu-Ala-Leu-Cys-Ala-Leu (amino acidresidues 13-18 of Sequence ID No. 26) is believed to constitute thecleavage site for the removal of the signal peptide sequence, leaving anintermediate form of the protein, the “pro” form, to be secreted fromthe expressing cell. The amino acid sequence Arg-Ala-Pro-Arg-Ala (aminoacid residues 257-261 of Seq. ID No. 26) is believed to constitute thecleavage site that produces the mature form of the protein, hereinreferred to as “mOP2-Ala”, and described by residues 261-399 of Seq. IDNo. 26. The amino acid sequence defining the conserved 6 cysteineskeleton of the mOP2 active region is defined by residues 303-399 ofSeq. ID No. 26.

2.2 hOP2

Using a probe prepared from the pro region of mOP2 (an EcoR1-BamH1digest fragment, bp 467-771 of Sequence ID No. 26), a human hippocampuslibrary was screened (human hippocampus cDNA lambda ZAP II library,Stratagene, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.) following essentially the sameprocedure as for the mouse library screens. The procedure identified theN-terminus of a novel DNA encoding an amino acid sequence havingsubstantial homology with the mOP2 protein. The C-terminus of the genesubsequently was identified by probing a human genomic library (inlambda phage EMBL-3, Clontech, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.) with a labelledfragment from the novel human DNA in hand. The novel polypeptide chainencoded by this DNA is referred to herein as hOP2 protein, and themature form of which shares almost complete amino acid sequence identity(about 92%) with mOP2-A (see FIGS. 23C-23E and infra).

The cDNA sequence, and the encoded amino acid sequence, for the preproform of hOP2 (“hOP2-PP”) is depicted in Seq. ID No. 28. This full-lengthform of the protein also includes a signal peptide sequence at itsN-terminus. The amino acid sequence Leu-Ala-Leu-Cys-Ala-Leu (amino acidresidues 13-18 of Seq. ID No. 28) is believed to constitute the cleavagesite for the removal of the signal peptide sequence, leaving anintermediate form of the protein, the “pro” form, to be secreted fromthe expressing cell. The amino acid sequence Arg-Thr-Pro-Arg-Ala (aminoacid residues 260-264 of Seq. ID No. 28) is believed to constitute thecleavage site that produces what is believed to be the mature form ofthe protein, herein referred to as “hOP2-Ala” described by residues 264to 402 of Seq. ID No. 28. The amino acid sequence defining the conserved6 cysteine skeleton of the hOP2 active region is defined by residues306-402 of Seq. ID No. 28.

Additional mature species of hOP2 thought to be active include truncatedshort sequences, “hOP2-Pro” (described by residues 267 to 402, Seq. IDNo. 28) and “hOP2-Arg” (described by residues 270 to 402, Seq. ID No.28), and a slightly longer sequence (“hOP2-Ser”, described by residues243 to 402, Seq. ID No. 28).

It should be noted that the nucleic acid sequence encoding theN-terminus of the prepro form of both mOP2 and hOP2 is rich in guanidineand cytosine base pairs. As will be appreciated by those skilled in theart, sequencing such a “G-C rich” region can be problematic, due tostutter and/or band compression. Accordingly, the possibility ofsequencing errors in this region can not be ruled out. However, thedefinitive amino acid sequence for these and other, similarly identifiedproteins can be determined readily by expressing the protein fromrecombinant DNA using, for example, any of the means disclosed herein,and sequencing the polypeptide chain by conventional peptide sequencingmethods well known in the art.

The genomic sequences of both the murine and human OP2 genes also havebeen cloned. Like the human OP1 gene, the protein coding region of theOP2 gene is contained on seven exons.

FIGS. 23C-23E compare the amino acid sequences of the mature mOP2 andhOP2 proteins, mOP2-A and hOP2-Ala. Identity is indicated by three dots( . . . ) in the mOP2-A sequence. As is evident from the figure, theamino acid sequence homology between the mature forms of these twoproteins is substantial (about 92% identity between the maturesequences, about 95% identity within the C-terminal active region).

FIGS. 24A-24D compare the amino acid sequences for the mature forms ofall four species of OP1 and OP2 proteins. Here again, identity isindicated by three dots ( . . . ). Like the mOP2 protein, the hOP2protein shares significant homology (about 74% identity) with the aminoacid sequence defining the OP1 active region (OPS or OP7, residues43-139 and 38-139, respectively), and less homology with OP1-18Ser(about 58% identity). Both OP2 proteins share the conserved sevencysteine skeleton seen in the OP1 proteins. In addition, the OP2proteins comprise an eighth cysteine residue within this region (seeposition 78 in FIG. 24B).

The greatest homology between sequences (about 74% identity, indicatedby dots) occurs within the C-terminal active region defined by OPS andOP7. The OP1 and OP2 proteins share less amino acid sequence homologywith the active regions of the CBMP2A and CBMP2B proteins. The OP1proteins share only about 60% sequence identity with the CBMP2 proteinsin this region; the OP2 proteins share only about 58% identity with theCBMP2 protein in this region. The CBMP2 proteins are most easilydistinguished from the OP1/OP2 proteins in the active region by at least9 nonconservative amino acid changes, in addition to munerousconservative amino acid changes which may have smaller effects onactivity.

A preferred generic amino acid sequence useful as a subunit of a dimericosteogenic protein capable of inducing endochondral bone or cartilageformation when implanted in a mammal in association with a matrix, andwhich incorporates the maximum homology between the identified OP1 andOP2 proteins (see FIG. 24), can be described by the sequence referred toherein as “OPX”, described below and in Seq. ID No. 30. OPX is acomposite sequence designed from the four sequences presented in FIG. 24(beginning at residue 38), and includes both the specific amino acidsequence created by the amino acid identity shared by the four OP1, OP2species, as well as alternative residues for the variable positionswithin the sequence. Cys Xaa Xaa His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe  1               5                  10 Xaa Asp Leu Gly Trp Xaa Asp TrpXaa Ile                  15                  20 Ala Pro Xaa Gly Tyr XaaAla Tyr Tyr Cys                  25                  30 Glu Gly Glu CysXaa Phe Pro Leu Xaa Ser                  35                  40 Xaa MetAsn Ala Thr Asn His Ala Ile Xaa                  45                  50Gln Xaa Leu Val His Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro Xaa                 55                  60 Xaa Val Pro Lys Xaa Cys Cys AlaPro Thr                  65                  70 Xaa Leu Xaa Ala Xaa SerVal Leu Tyr Xaa                  75                  80 Asp Xaa Ser XaaAsn Val Ile Leu Xaa Lys                  85                  90 Xaa ArgAsn Met Val Val Xaa Ala Cys Gly                  95                 100Cys His,and wherein Xaa at res. 2=(Lys or Arg); Xaa at res. 3=(Lys or Arg); Xaaat res. 11=(Arg or Gln); Xaa at res. 16=(Gln or Leu); Xaa at res.19=(Ile or Val); Xaa at res. 23=(Glu or Gln); Xaa at res. 26=(Ala orSer); Xaa at res. 35=(Ala or Ser); Xaa at res. 39=(Asn or Asp); Xaa atres. 41=(Tyr or Cys); Xaa at res. 50=(Val or Leu); Xaa at res. 52=(Seror Thr); Xaa at res. 56=(Val or Leu); Xaa at res. 57=(Ile or Met); Xaaat res. 58=(Asn or Lys); Xaa at res. 60=(Glu, Asp or Asn); Xaa at res.61=(Thr, Ala or Val); Xaa at res. 65=(Pro or Ala); Xaa at res. 71=(Glnor Lys); Xaa at res. 73=(Asn or Ser); Xaa at res. 75=(Ile or Thr); Xaaat res. 80=(Phe or Tyr); Xaa at re. 82=(Asp or Ser); Xaa at res. 84=(Seror Asn); Xaa at res. 89=(Lys or Arg); Xaa at res. 91=(Tyr or His); andXaa at res. 97=(Arg or Lys).

The high degree of homology exhibited between the various OP1 and OP2proteins suggests that the novel osteogenic proteins identified hereinwill purify essentially as OP1 does, or with only minor modifications ofthe protocols disclosed for OP1. Similarly, the purified mOP1, mOP2, andhOP2 proteins are predicted to have an apparent molecular weight ofabout 18 kDa as reduced single subunits, and an apparent molecularweight of about 36 kDa as oxidized dimers, as determined by comparisonwith molecular weight standards on an SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresisgel. Unglycosylated dimers (e.g., proteins produced by recombinantexpression in E. coli) are predicted to have an apparent molecularweight of about 27 kDa. There appears to be one potential Nglycosylation site in the mature forms of the mOP2 and hOP2 proteins.

The identification of osteogenic proteins having an active regioncomprising eight cysteine residues also allows one to constructosteogenic polypeptide chains patterned after either of the followingtemplate amino acid sequences, or to identify additional osteogenicproteins having this sequence. The template sequences contemplated are“OPX-7C”, comprising the conserved six cysteine skeleton plus theadditional cysteine residue identified in the OP2 proteins, and“OPX-8C”, comprising the conserved seven cysteine skeleton plus theadditional cysteine residue identified in the OP2 proteins. The OPX-7Cand OPX-8C sequences are described below and in Seq. ID Nos. 31 and 32,respectively. Each Xaa in these template sequences independentlyrepresents one of the 20 naturally-occurring L-isomer, α-amino acids, ora derivative thereof. Biosynthetic constructs patterned after thistemplate readily are constructed using conventional DNA synthesis orpeptide synthesis techniques well known in the art. Once constructed,osteogenic proteins comprising these polypeptide chains can be tested asdisclosed herein.

“OPX-7C” (Sequence ID No. 31): Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaXaa   1                   5              10 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaXaa Xaa Xaa Xaa              15                  20 Xaa Xaa Cys Xaa XaaXaa Cys Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa          25                  30 Xaa Xaa Cys XaaXaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa      35                  40 Xea Xaa Xaa XaaXaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa  45                  50                  55Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Cys Cys Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa                60                   65 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaXaa Xaa Xaa              70                  75 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaXaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa          80                  85 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaCys Xaa Cys Xaa      90                  95

“OPX-8C” (Sequence ID No. 32 comprising additional five residues at theN-terminus, including a conserved cysteine residue): Cys Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaXaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa   1               5                  10 Xaa XaaXaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa              15                  20Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Cys Xaa Xaa Xaa         25                  30 Cys Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Cys Xaa XaaXaa Xaa      35                  40                  45 Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaXaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa                  50                  55 XaaXaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Cys              60                  65Cys Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa             70                  75 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaXaa Xaa          80                  85 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa XaaXaa Xaa Cys      90                  95 Xaa Cys Xaa 100

III. Matrix Preparation

A. General Consideration of Matrix Properties

The currently preferred carrier material is a xenogenic bone-derivedparticulate matrix treated as disclosed herein. This carrier may bereplaced by either a biodegradable-synthetic or synthetic-inorganicmatrix (e.g., HAP, collagen, tricalcium phosphate or polylactic acid,polyglycolic acid, polybutyric acid and various copolymers thereof.)

Studies have shown that surface charge, particle size, the presence ofmineral, and the methodology for combining matrix and osteogenic proteinall play a role in achieving successful bone induction. Perturbation ofthe charge by chemical modification abolishes the inductive response.Particle size influences the quantitative response of new bone;particles between 70 μm and 420 μm elicit the maximum response.Contamination of the matrix with bone mineral will inhibit boneformation. Most importantly, the procedures used to formulate osteogenicprotein onto the matrix are extremely sensitive to the physical andchemical state of both the osteogenic protein and the matrix.

The sequential cellular reactions in the interface of the bonematrix/osteogenic protein implants are complex. The multistep cascadeincludes: binding of fibrin and fibronectin to implanted matrix,migration and proliferation of mesenchymal cells, differentiation of theprogenitor cells into chondroblasts, cartilage formation, cartilagecalcification, vascular invasion, bone formation, remodeling, and bonemarrow differentiation.

A successful carrier for osteogenic protein should perform severalimportant functions. It should carry osteogenic protein and act as aslow release delivery system, accommodate each step of the cellularresponse during bone development, and protect the osteogenic proteinfrom nonspecific proteolysis. In addition, selected materials must bebiocompatible in vivo and preferably biodegradable; the carrier must actas a temporary scaffold until replaced completely by new bone.Polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and various combinationshave different dissolution rates in vivo. In bones, the dissolutionrates can vary according to whether the implant is placed in cortical ortrabecular bone.

Matrix geometry, particle size, the presence of surface charge, and thedegree of both intra-and inter-particle porosity are all important tosuccessful matrix performance. It is preferred to shape the matrix tothe desired form of the new bone and to have dimensions which spannon-union defects. Rat studies show that the new bone is formedessentially having the dimensions of the device implanted.

The matrix may comprise a shape-retaining solid made of loosely adheredparticulate material, e.g., with collagen. It may also comprise amolded, porous solid, or simply an aggregation of close-packed particlesheld in place by surrounding tissue. Masticated muscle or other tissuemay also be used. Large allogenic bone implants can act as a carrier forthe matrix if their marrow cavities are cleaned and packed withparticles and the dispersed osteogenic protein.

The preferred matrix material, prepared from xenogenic bone and treatedas disclosed herein, produces an implantable material useful in avariety of clinical settings. In addition to its use as a matrix forbone formation in various orthopedic, periodontal, and reconstructiveprocedures, the matrix also may be used as a sustained release carrier,or as a collagenous coating for implants. The matrix may be shaped asdesired in anticipation of surgery or shaped by the physician ortechnician during surgery. Thus, the material may be used for topical,subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intramuscular implants; it may beshaped to span a nonunion fracture or to fill a bone defect. In boneformation procedures, the material is slowly absorbed by the body and isreplaced by bone in the shape of or very nearly the shape of theimplant.

Various growth factors, hormones, enzymes, therapeutic compositions,antibiotics, and other bioactive agents also may be adsorbed onto thecarrier material and will be released over time when implanted as thematrix material is slowly absorbed. Thus, various known growth factorssuch as EGF, PDGF, IGF, FGF, TGF-α, and TGF-β may be released in vivo.The material can be used to release chemotherapeutic agents, insulin,enzymes, or enzyme inhibitors.

B. Bone-Derived Matrices

1. Preparation of Demineralized Bone

Demineralized bone matrix, preferably bovine bone matrix, is prepared bypreviously published procedures (Sampath and Reddi (1983) Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 80:6591-6595). Bovine diaphyseal bones (age 1-10 days)are obtained from a local slaughterhouse and used fresh. The bones arestripped of muscle and fat, cleaned of periosteum, demarrowed bypressure with cold water, dipped in cold absolute ethanol, and stored at−20° C. They are then dried and fragmented by crushing and pulverized ina large mill. Care is taken to prevent heating by using liquid nitrogen.The pulverized bone is milled to a particle size in the range of 70-850μm, preferably 150-420 μm, and is defatted by two washes ofapproximately two hours duration with three volumes of chloroform andmethanol (3:1). The particulate bone is then washed with one volume ofabsolute ethanol and dried over one volume of anhydrous ether yieldingdefatted bone powder. The defatted bone powder is then demineralized byfour successive treatments with 10 volumes of 0.5 N HCl at 4° C. for 40min. Finally, neutralizing washes are done on the demineralized bonepowder with a large volume of water.

2. Guanidine Extraction

Demineralized bone matrix thus prepared is extracted with 5 volumes of 4M guanidine-HCl, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.0 for 16 hr. at 4° C. Thesuspension is filtered. The insoluble material is collected and used tofabricate the matrix. The material is mostly collagenous in nature. Itis devoid of osteogenic or chondrogenic activity.

3. Matrix Treatments

The major component of all bone matrices is Type-I collagen. In additionto collagen, demineralized bone extracted as disclosed above includesnon-collagenous proteins which may account for 5% of its mass. In axenogenic matrix, these noncollagenous components may present themselvesas potent antigens, and may constitute immunogenic and/or inhibitorycomponents. These components also may inhibit osteogenesis in allogenicimplants by interfering with the developmental cascade of bonedifferentiation. It has been discovered that treatment of the matrixparticles with a collagen fibril-modifying agent extracts potentiallyunwanted components from the matrix, and alters the surface structure ofthe matrix material. Useful agents include acids, organic solvents orheated aqueous media. Various treatments are described below. A detailedphysical analysis of the effect these fibril-modifying agents have ondemineralized, quanidine-extracted bone collagen particles is disclosedin copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 483,913, filed Feb. 22,1990.

After contact with the fibril-modifying agent, the treated matrix iswashed to remove any extracted components, following a form of theprocedure set forth below:

-   -   1. Suspend in TBS (Tris-buffered saline) 1 g/200 ml and stir at        4° C. for 2 hrs; or in 6 M urea, 50 mM Tris-HCl, 500 mM NaCl, pH        7.0 (UTBS) or water and stir at room temperature (RT) for 30        minutes (sufficient time to neutralize the pH);    -   2. Centrifuge and repeat wash step; and    -   3. Centrifuge; discard supernatant; water wash residue; and then        lyophilize.        3.1 Acid Treatments

1. Trifluoroacetic acid.

Trifluoroacetic acid is a strong non-oxidizing acid that is a knownswelling agent for proteins, and which modifies collagen fibrils.

Bovine bone residue prepared as described above is sieved, and particlesof the appropriate size are collected. These particles are extractedwith various percentages (1.0% to 100%) of trifluoroacetic acid andwater (v/v) at 0° C. or room temperature for 1-2 hours with constantstirring. The treated matrix is filtered, lyophilized, or washed withwater/salt and then lyophilized.

2. Hydrogen Fluoride.

Like trifluoroacetic acid, hydrogen fluoride is a strong acid andswelling agent, and also is capable of altering intraparticle surfacestructure. Hydrogen fluoride is also a known deglycosylating agent. Assuch, HF may function to increase the osteogenic activity of thesematrices by removing the antigenic carbohydrate content of anyglycoproteins still associated with the matrix after guanidineextraction.

Bovine bone residue prepared as described above is sieved, and particlesof the appropriate size are collected. The sample is dried in vacuo overP₂O₅ transferred to the reaction vessel and exposed to anhydroushydrogen fluoride (10-20 ml/g of matrix) by distillation onto the sampleat −70° C. The vessel is allowed to warm to 0° C. and the reactionmixture is stirred at this temperature for 120 minutes. Afterevaporation of the hydrogen fluoride in vacuo, the residue is driedthoroughly in vacuo over KOH pellets to remove any remaining traces ofacid. Extent of deglycosylation can be determined from carbohydrateanalysis of matrix samples taken before and after treatment withhydrogen fluoride, after washing the samples appropriately to removenon-covalently bound carbohydrates. SDS-extracted protein fromHF-treated material is negative for carbohydrate as determined by Con Ablotting.

The deglycosylated bone matrix is next washed twice in TBS(Tris-buffered saline) or UTBS, water-washed, and then lyophilized.

Other acid treatments are envisioned in addition to HF and TFA. TFA is acurrently preferred acidifying reagent in these treatments because ofits volatility. However, it is understood that other, potentially lesscaustic acids may be used, such as acetic or formic acid.

3.2 Solvent Treatment

1. Dichloromethane.

Dichloromethane (DCM) is an organic solvent capable of denaturingproteins without affecting their primary structure. This swelling agentis a common reagent in automated peptide synthesis, and is used inwashing steps to remove components.

Bovine bone residue, prepared as described above, is sieved, andparticles of the appropriate size are incubated in 100% DCM or,preferably, 99.9% DCM/0.1% TFA. The matrix is incubated with theswelling agent for one or two hours at 0° C. or at room temperature.Alternatively, the matrix is treated with the agent at least three timeswith short washes (20 minutes each) with no incubation.

2. Acetonitrile.

Acetonitrile (ACN) is an organic solvent, capable of denaturing proteinswithout affecting their primary structure. It is a common reagent usedin high-performance liquid chromatography, and is used to elute proteinsfrom silica-based columns by perturbing hydrophobic interactions.

Bovine bone residue particles of the appropriate size, prepared asdescribed above, are treated with 100% ACN (1.0 g/30 ml) or, preferably,99.9% ACN/0.1% TFA at room temperature for 1-2 hours with constantstirring. The treated matrix is then water-washed, or washed with ureabuffer, or 4 M NaCl and lyophilized. Alternatively, the ACN or ACN/TFAtreated matrix may be lyophilized without wash.

3. Isopropanol.

Isopropanol is also an organic solvent capable of denaturing proteinswithout affecting their primary structure. It is a common reagent usedto elute proteins from silica HPLC columns.

Bovine bone residue particles of the appropriate size prepared asdescribed above are treated with 100% isopropanol (1.0 g/30 ml) or,preferably, in the presence of 0.1% TFA, at room temperature for 1-2hours with constant stirring. The matrix is then water-washed or washedwith urea buffer or 4 M NaCl before being lyophilized.

4. Chloroform

Chloroform also may be used to increase surface area of bone matrix likethe reagents set forth above, either alone or acidified.

Treatment as set forth above is effective to assure that the material isfree of pathogens prior to implantation.

3.3 Heat Treatment

The currently most preferred agent is a heated aqueous fibril-modifyingmedium such as water, to increase the matrix particle surface area andporosity. The currently most preferred aqueous medium is an acidicaqueous medium having a pH of less than about 4.5, e.g., within therange of about pH 2-pH 4 which may help to “swell” the collagen beforeheating. 0.1% acetic acid, which has a pH of about 3, currently is mostpreferred. 0.1 M acetic acid also may be used.

Various amounts of delipidated, demineralized guanidine-extracted bonecollagen are heated in the aqueous medium (1 g matrix/30 ml aqueousmedium) under constant stirring in a water jacketed glass flask, andmaintained at a given temperature for a predetermined period of time.Preferred treatment times are about one hour, although exposure times ofbetween about 0.5 to two hours appear acceptable. The temperatureemployed is held constant at a temperature within the range of about 37°C. to 65° C. The currently preferred heat treatment temperature iswithin the range of about 45° C. to 60° C.

After the heat treatment, the matrix is filtered, washed, lyophilizedand used for implant. Where an acidic aqueous medium is used, the matrixalso is preferably neutralized prior to washing and lyophilization. Acurrently preferred neutralization buffer is a 200 mM sodium phosphatebuffer, pH 7.0. To neutralize the matrix, the matrix preferably first isallowed to cool following thermal treatment, the acidic aqueous medium(e.g., 0.1% acetic acid) then is removed and replaced with theneutralization buffer and the matrix agitated for about 30 minutes. Theneutralization buffer then may be removed and the matrix washed andlyophilized (see infra).

The effects of heat treatment on morphology of the matrix material isapparent from a comparison of the photomicrographs in FIG. 25 with thoseof FIG. 26. FIG. 25 illustrates the morphology of the successfullyaltered collagen surface treated with water heated to (25A) 37° C.,(25B) 45° C., (25C) 55° C. and (25D) 65° C. The photomicrographs of FIG.26 describe the morphology of untreated rat and bovine bone matrix (26Aand 26B, respectively). As is evident from the micrographs, the hotaqueous treatment can increase the degree of micropitting on theparticle surface (e.g., about 10-fold,) as well as also substantiallyincreasing the particle's porosity (compare FIGS. 26B and 25C, 25D).This alteration of the matrix particle's morphology substantiallyincreases the particle surface area. Careful measurement of the pore andmicropit sizes reveals that hot aqueous medium treatment of the matrixparticles yields particle pore and micropit diameters within the rangeof 1 μm to 100 μm.

Characterization of the extract produced by the hot aqueous treatmentreveals that the treatment also may be removing component(s) whoseassociation with the matrix may interfere with new bone formation invivo. FIG. 27 is a 214 nm absorbance tracing of the extract isolatedfrom hot water treated bovine matrix, and indicates the effect of eachpeak (or fraction) on in vivo bone formation.

The extract from a large scale preparative run (100 g bovine matrix, hotwater-treated) was collected, acidified with 0.1% TFA, and run on a C-18HPLC column, using a Millipore Delta Prep Cartridge. Fractions werecollected at 50 mL intervals at a flow rate of 25 ml/min. and pooledappropriately to isolate the individual peaks in the tracing. Each ofthese fractions then was implanted with recombinant OP1 and anappropriate rat matrix carrier (see infra), and its effect on boneformation activity measured. Fraction 12 alone appears to inhibit boneformation in allogenic implants. The inhibitory activity appears to bedose dependent. It is possible that the removal of the inhibitorycomponent(s) present in this peak may be necessary to support osteogenicactivity in xenogenic implants.

FIG. 28 describes the influence of complete solvent extract from hotwater-treated matrix on osteogenic activity as measured in 12-dayimplants by alkaline phosphatase activity (28A) and calcium content(28B). Rat carrier matrix and OP1 implanted without any extract is usedas a positive control. The solvent extract obtained from 100 grams ofhot water-treated bovine matrix was evaporated and taken up in 6 M of50% acetonitrile/0.1% TFA. 100-300 μl aliquots then were combined withknown amounts of recombinant OP1, and 25 mg of rat matrix carrier, andassayed (see infra). The results clearly show the extract inhibits newbone formation in a dose dependent manner.

The matrix also may be treated to remove contaminating heavy metals,such as by exposing the matrix to a metal ion chelator. For example,following thermal treatment with 0.1% acetic acid, the matrix may beneutralized in a neutralization buffer containing EDTA (sodiumethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), e.g., 200 mM sodium phosphate, 5 mMEDTA, pH 7.0. 5 mM EDTA provides about a 100-fold molar excess ofchelator to residual heavy metals present in the most contaminatedmatrix tested to date. Subsequent washing of the matrix followingneutralization appears to remove the bulk of the EDTA. EDTA treatment ofmatrix particles reduces the residual heavy metal content of all metalstested (Sb, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Pb, Hg, Ni, Se, Ag, Zn, Tl) to lessthan about 1 ppm. Bioassays with EDTA-treated matrices indicate thattreatment with the metal ion chelator does not inhibit bone inducingactivity.

The collagen matrix materials preferably take the form of a fine powder,insoluble in water, comprising nonadherent particles. It may be usedsimply by packing into the volume where new bone growth or sustainedrelease is desired, held in place by surrounding tissue. Alternatively,the powder may be encapsulated in, e.g., a gelatin or polylactic acidcoating, which is absorbed readily by the body. The powder may be shapedto a volume of given dimensions and held in that shape by interadheringthe particles using, for example, soluble, species-biocompatiblecollagen. The material may also be produced in sheet, rod, bead, orother macroscopic shapes.

Demineralized rat bone matrix used as an allogenic matrix in certain ofthe experiments disclosed herein, is prepared from several of thedehydrated diaphyseal shafts of rat femur and tibia as described hereinto produce a bone particle size which passes through a 420 μm sieve. Thebone particles are subjected to dissociative extraction with 4 Mguanidine-HCl. Such treatment results in a complete loss of the inherentability of the bone matrix to induce endochondral bone differentiation.The remaining insoluble material is used to fabricate the matrix. Thematerial is mostly collagenous in nature, and upon implantation, doesnot induce cartilage and bone formation. All new preparations are testedfor mineral content and osteogenic activity before use. The total lossof biological activity of bone matrix is restored when an activeosteoinductive protein fraction or a substantially pure osteoinductiveprotein preparation is reconstituted with the biologically inactiveinsoluble collagenous matrix.

C. Synthetic Tissue-Specific Matrices

In addition to the naturally-derived bone matrices described above,useful matrices also may be formulated synthetically if appropriatelymodified. One example of such a synthetic matrix is the porous,biocompatible, in vivo biodegradable synthetic matrix disclosed incopending U.S. Serial No. 529,852, filed May 30, 1990, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference. Briefly, the matrix comprisesa porous crosslinked structural polymer of biocompatible, biodegradablecollagen, most preferably tissue-specific collagen, and appropriate,tissue-specific glycosaminoglycans as tissue-specific cell attachmentfactors. Bone tissue-specific collagen (e.g., Type I collagen) derivedfrom a number of sources may be suitable for use in these syntheticmatrices, including soluble collagen, acid-soluble collagen, collagensoluble in neutral or basic aqueous solutions, as well as thosecollagens which are commercially available. In addition, Type IIcollagen, as found in cartilage, also may be used in combination withType I collagen.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) or mucopolysaccharides are polysaccharidesmade up of residues of hexoamines glycosidically bound and alternatingin a more-or-less regular manner with either hexouronic acid or hexosemoieties. GAGs are of animal origin and have a tissue specificdistribution (see, e.g., Dodgson et al. in Carbohydrate Metabolism andits Disorders (Dickens et al., eds.) Vol. 1, Academic Press (1968)).Reaction with the GAGs also provides collagen with another valuableproperty, i.e., inability to provoke an immune reaction (foreign bodyreaction) from an animal host.

Useful GAGs include those containing sulfate groups, such as hyaluronicacid, heparin, heparin sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, chondroitin4-sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and keratin sulfate. For osteogenic deviceschondroitin 6-sulfate currently is preferred. Other GAGs also may besuitable for forming the matrix described herein, and those skilled inthe art will either know or be able to ascertain other suitable GAGsusing no more than routine experimentation. For a more detaileddescription of mucopolysaccharides, see Aspinall, Polysaccharides,Pergamon Press, Oxford (1970).

Collagen can be reacted with a GAG in aqueous acidic solutions,preferably in diluted acetic acid solutions. By adding the GAG dropwiseinto the aqueous collagen dispersion, coprecipitates of tangled collagenfibrils coated with GAG results. This tangled mass of fibers then can behomogenized to form a homogeneous dispersion of fine fibers and thenfiltered and dried.

Insolubility of the collagen-GAG products can be raised to the desireddegree by covalently cross-linking these materials, which also serves toraise the resistance to resorption of these materials. In general, anycovalent cross-linking method suitable for cross-linking collagen alsois suitable for cross-linking these composite materials, althoughcross-linking by a dehydrothermal process is preferred.

When dry, the cross-linked particles are essentially spherical withdiameters of about 500 μm. Scanning electron microscopy shows pores ofabout 20 μm on the surface and 40 μm on the interior. The interior ismade up of both fibrous and sheet-like structures, providing surfacesfor cell attachment. The voids interconnect, providing access to thecells throughout the interior of the particle. The material appears tobe roughly 99.5% void volume, making the material very efficient interms of the potential cell mass that can be grown per gram ofmicrocarrier.

Another useful synthetic matrix is one formulated from biocompatible, invivo biodegradable synthetic polymers, such as those composed ofglycolic acid, lactic acid and/or butyric acid, including copolymers andderivatives thereof. These polymers are well described in the art andare available commercially. For example, polymers composed of polyacticacid (e.g., MW 100 kDa), 80% polylactide/20% glycoside or poly3-hydroxybutyric acid (e.g., MW 30 kDa) all may be purchased fromPolySciences, Inc. The polymer compositions generally are obtained inparticulate form and the osteogenic devices preferably fabricated undernonaqueous conditions (e.g., in an ethanol-trifluoroacetic acidsolution, EtOH/TFA) to avoid hydrolysis of the polymers. In addition,one can alter the morphology of the particulate polymer compositions,for example to increase porosity, using any of a number of particularsolvent treatments known in the art.

Osteogenic devices fabricated with osteogenic protein solubilized inEtOH/TFA and a matrix composed of polylactic acid, poly 3-hydroxybutyricacid, or 80% polylactide/20% glycoside are all osteogenically activewhen implanted in the rat model and bioassayed as described herein(e.g., as determined by calcium content, alkaline phosphatase levels andhistology of 12-day implants, see Section V, infra).

IV. Fabrication of Osteogenic Device

The naturally sourced and recombinant proteins as set forth above, aswell as other constructs, can be combined and dispersed in a suitablematrix preparation using any of the methods described below. In general,50-100 ng of active protein is combined with the inactive carrier matrix(e.g., 25 mg matrix for rat bioassays). Greater amounts may be used forlarge implants.

1. Ethanol Triflouracetic Acid Lyophilization

In this procedure, osteogenic protein is solubilized in an ethanoltriflouracetic acid solution (47.5% EtOH/0.01% TFA) and added to thecarrier material. Samples are vortexed vigorously and then lyophilized.This method currently is preferred.

2. Acetonitrile Trifluoroacetic

Acid Lyophilization

This is a variation of the above procedure, using an acetonitriletrifluroacetic acid (ACN/TFA) solution to solubilize the osteogenicprotein that then is added to the carrier material. Samples arevigorously vortexed many times and then lyophilized.

3. Ethanol Precipitation

Matrix is added to osteogenic protein dissolved in guanidine-HCl.Samples are vortexed and incubated at a low temperature (e.g., 4° C.).Samples are then further vortexed. Cold absolute ethanol (5 volumes) isadded to the mixture which is then stirred and incubated, preferably for30 minutes at −20° C. After centrifugation (microfuge, high speed) thesupernatant is discarded. The reconstituted matrix is washed twice withcold concentrated ethanol in water (85% EtOH) and then lyophilized.

4. Urea Lyophilization

For those osteogenic proteins that are prepared in urea buffer, theprotein is mixed with the matrix material, vortexed many times, and thenlyophilized. The lyophilized material may be used “as is” for implants.

5. Buffered Saline Lyophilization

Osteogenic protein preparations in physiological saline may also bevortexed with the matrix and lyophilized to produce osteogenicallyactive material.

These procedures also can be used to adsorb other active therapeuticdrugs, hormones, and various bioactive species to the matrix forsustained release purposes.

V. Bioassay

The functioning of the various proteins and devices of this inventioncan be evaluated with an in vivo bioassay. Studies in rats show theosteogenic effect in an appropriate matrix to be dependent on the doseof osteogenic protein dispersed in the matrix. No activity is observedif the matrix is implanted alone. In vivo bioassays performed in the ratmodel also have shown that demineralized, guanidine-extracted xenogenicbone matrix materials of the type described in the literature generallyare ineffective as a carrier, can fail to induce bone, and can producean inflammatory and immunological response when implanted unless treatedas disclosed above. In certain species (e.g., monkey) allogenic matrixmaterials also apparently are ineffective as carriers. (Aspenberg, etal. (1988) J. Bone Joint Surgery 70: 625-627.) The following sets forthvarious procedures for preparing osteogenic devices from the proteinsand matrix materials prepared as set forth above, and for evaluatingtheir osteogenic utility.

A. Rat Model

1. Implantation

The bioassay for bone induction as described by Sampath and Reddi((1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80 6591-6595), herein incorporated byreference, may be used to monitor endochondral bone differentiationactivity. This assay consists of implanting test samples in subcutaneoussites in recipient rats under ether anesthesia. Male Long-Evans rats,aged 28-32 days, were used. A vertical incision (1 cm) is made understerile conditions in the skin over the thoracic region, and a pocket isprepared by blunt dissection. Approximately 25 mg of the test sample isimplanted deep into the pocket and the incision is closed with ametallic skin clip. The day of implantation is designated as day one ofthe experiment. Implants were removed on day 12. The heterotropic siteallows for the study of bone induction without the possible ambiguitiesresulting from the use of orthotropic sites. As disclosed herein, bothallogenic (rat bone matrix) and xenogenic (bovine bone matrix) implantswere assayed for bone forming activity. Allogenic implants were used inexperiments performed to determine the specific activity of bonepurified and recombinant osteogenic protein.

Bone inducing activity is determined biochemically by the specificactivity of alkaline phosphatase and calcium content of the day 12implant. An increase in the specific activity of alkaline phosphataseindicates the onset of bone formation. Calcium content, on the otherhand, is proportional to the amount of bone formed in the implant. Boneformation therefore is calculated by determining the calcium content ofthe implant on day 12 in rats and is expressed as “bone forming units,”where one bone forming unit represents the amount of protein that isneeded for half maximal bone forming activity of the implant on day 12.Bone induction exhibited by intact demineralized rat bone matrix isconsidered to be the maximal bone differentiation activity forcomparison purposes in this assay.

2. Cellular Events

Successful implants exhibit a controlled progression through the stagesof protein-induced endochondral bone development, including: (1)transient infiltration by polymorphonuclear leukocytes on day one; (2)mesenchymal cell migration and proliferation on days two and three; (3)chondrocyte appearance on days five and six; (4) cartilage matrixformation on day seven; (5) cartilage calcification on day eight; (6)vascular invasion, appearance of osteoblasts, and formation of new boneon days nine and ten; (7) appearance of osteoclasts, bone remodeling anddissolution of the implanted matrix on days twelve to eighteen; and (8)hematopoietic bone marrow differentiation in the ossicles on daytwenty-one. The results show that the shape of the new bone conforms tothe shape of the implanted matrix.

3. Histological Evaluation

Histological sectioning and staining is preferred to determine theextent of osteogenesis in the implants. Implants are fixed in BouinsSolution, embedded in paraffin, and cut into 6-8 μm sections. Stainingwith toluidine blue or hemotoxylin/eosin demonstrates clearly theultimate development of endochondral bone. Twelve day implants areusually sufficient to determine whether the implants contain newlyinduced bone.

4. Biological Markers

Alkaline phosphatase activity may be used as a marker for osteogenesis.The enzyme activity may be determined spectrophotometrically afterhomogenization of the implant. The activity peaks at 9-10 days in vivoand thereafter slowly declines. Implants showing no bone development byhistology have little or no alkaline phosphatase activity under theseassay conditions. The assay is useful for quantification and obtainingan estimate of bone formation quickly after the implants are removedfrom the rat. Alternatively, the amount of bone formation can bedetermined by measuring the calcium content of the implant.

5. Results

Histological examination of implants indicate that osteogenic devicescontaining the natural-sourced osteogenic protein or recombinantosteogenic protein have true osteogenic activity. Moreover, theosteogenic specific activity of recombinant OP1 homodimers matches thatof the substantially pure natural-sourced material.

5.1 Bone Purified Osteogenic Protein

Implants containing osteogenic protein at several levels of purity havebeen tested to determine the most effective dose/purity level, in orderto seek a formulation which could be produced on an industrial scale. Asdescribed supra, the results were measured by alkaline phosphataseactivity level, calcium content, and histological examination andrepresented as bone forming units. Also as described supra, one boneforming unit represents the amount of protein that is needed for halfmaximal bone forming activity of the implant on day 12. The bone formingactivity elicited by intact rat demineralized bone matrix is consideredto be the maximal bone differentiation activity for comparison purposesin this assay.

Dose curves were constructed for bone inducing activity in vivo byassaying various concentrations of protein purified from bone at eachstep of the purification scheme. FIG. 11 shows representative dosecurves in rats. Approximately 10-12 μg of the TSK-fraction (FIG. 11C),3-4 μg of heparin-Sepharose-II fraction (FIG. 11B), 0.5-1 μg of the C-18column fraction (FIG. 11A), and 25-50 ng of gel eluted highly purified30 kDa protein is needed for unequivocal bone formation (half maximumactivity) when implanted with 25 mg of matrix. Subsequent additionalexperiments have measured a half maximum activity of about 21-25 ngprotein per 25 mg matrix for the highly purified, gel eluted 30 kDaosteogenic protein (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,691.) Thus, 0.8-1.0 ng ofhighly purified osteogenic protein per mg of implant matrix issufficient to exhibit half maximal bone differentiation in vivo. 50 to100 ng per 25 mg of implant normally is sufficient to produce maximumendochondral bone. Thus, 2 to 4 ng osteogenic protein per mg of implantmatrix is a reasonable dosage, although higher dosages may be used.

As shown in FIG. 17, osteogenic devices comprising unglycosylatedosteogenic protein are osteogenically active. Compare FIG. 17B (showingcarrier and glycosylated protein) and 17C (showing carrier anddeglycosylated protein). Arrows indicate osteoblasts. FIG. 17A is acontrol where carrier alone was implanted. No bone formation is evidentin this control implant.

5.2 Recombinant Osteogenic Protein

Homodimers of the various fusion constructs disclosed herein andexpressed in E. coli all are osteogenically active. In addition,osteogenic activity is present with OP1A-CBMP2B1, OP1B-CBMP2B1, andOP1C-CBMP2B2 protein combinations. In addition, dimeric species of thetruncated analog active regions (COP5 and COP7, disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,011,691), alone or in combination, also induce osteogenesis asdetermined by histological examination.

Recombinant OP1 expressed from different mammalian cell sources andpurified to different extents (1-5% pure to 30-90% pure) were tested forosteogenic activity in vivo as set forth above using 25 mg matrix. Table9 below shows the histology score for OP1 expressed in all three celltypes. TABLE 9 OP1 Protein Histology Mammalian OP1 Concentration* ScoreCells Subunit (ng/implant) (%) BSC40-tsA58    18 kDa 32.5 50 (70-90%65.0 40 pure) 130.0 80 260.0 100    16 kDa 12.5 20 (30-40% 25.0 50 pure)50.0 80 100.0 100 200.0 100 CHO 16-20 kDa 50.0 90 (less than 100.0 90 5%pure) 200.0 100 COS    18 kDa 25.0 10 (less than 50.0 30 5% pure) 100.090 200.0 90 demineralized rat matrix 4010-30%: moderate bone formation30-80%: extensive bone formationabove 80%: evidence of hematopoietic bone marrow recruitment.*estimated by immunoblots or gel scanning

The histology scores detailed in Table 9 show that OP1 is activeregardless of cell source, and that the activity mimics that ofnatural-sourced bovine osteogenic protein (see discussion of FIGS. 31and 32, infra.) Moreover, the bone-inducing activity is highlyreproducible and dose dependent.

Additional bioassays, performed using highly purified OP1 (90% pure),and formulated with rat matrix by the acetonitrile/TFA method, suggestthat CHO-produced OP1 shows slightly more bone-inducing activity whencompared to BSC-derived OP1 preparations (at lower proteinconcentrations). Finally, numerous bioassays have been conducted withthe various degraded species identified in the different OP1preparations (e.g., OP1-16Ala., OP1-16Val, OP1-16Ser, OP1-16Leu andOP1-16Met.) Significant variations in bone inducing activity, asmeasured by calcium content or histology, could not be detected amongthese different OP1 species.

Further evidence of the bone-forming activity of recombinant OP1 isprovided in the photomicrographs of FIGS. 29 and 30. FIGS. 29A-F arephotomicrographs recording the histology of allogenic implants usingrecombinant OP1 expressed from COS, BSC, and COS cells. The micrographs(magnified 220×), provide graphic evidence of the full developmentalcascade induced by the osteogenic proteins of this invention, confirmingthat recombinantly produced OP1 alone is sufficient to induceendochondral bone formation, when implanted in association with amatrix. As evidenced in FIG. 29A, allogenic implants that do not containOP1 show no new bone formation at 12 days post implant. Only theimplanted bone matrix (m) and surrounding mesenchyme are seen.Conversely, implants containing OP1 already show evidence of extensivechondrogenesis by 7 days post implant (FIG. 29B, 500 ng BSC-producedprotein, 30% pure). Here, newly formed cartilage cells, chondroblasts(Cb) and chondrocytes (Cy) are in close contact with the matrix (m). By9 days post implant endochondral bone differentiation, cartilagecalcification, hypertrophy of chondrocytes, vascular invasion, and theonset of new bone formation are all evident (FIG. 29C, 220 ngCOS-produced protein, approx. 5% pure). Invading capillaries (c) and theappearance of basophilic osteoblasts (indicated by arrows) near thevascular endothelium are particularly evident. By 12 days post implantextensive bone formation and remodeling has occurred (FIG. 29D (220×),and 29E (400×), GHO-produced protein, approx. 60% pure). The newlyformed bone laid down by osteoblasts is being remodeled bymultinucleated osteoclasts (Oc), and the implanted matrix is beingreabsorbed and replaced by remodeled bone. Bone marrow recruitment inthe newly formed ossicles is also evident. Finally, hematopoietic bonemarrow differentiation within the ossicles can be seen by 22 days postimplant (FIG. 29F, 500 ng BSC-produced protein, 30% pure). By this timemost of the implanted matrix (m) has been resorbed and is occupied bynewly-formed bone containing ossicles filled with bone marrow elementsincluding erythrocytic and granulocytic series and megakaryocytes.Similar histological observations have been made for implantsincorporating greater than 90% pure OP1 preparations.

FIG. 30 is a photomicrograph showing the histology at 12 days postimplant for a xenogenic implant using hot water-treated bovine matrixand OP1 (BSC-produced). The recruitment of hematopoietic bone marrowelements is evident in the photomicrograph, showing that the boneforming activity of xenogenic implants with OP1 parallels that ofallogenic implants (compare FIG. 30 with FIGS. 29D and 29E).

The cellular events exhibited by the OP1 matrix implants and evidencedin FIGS. 29 and 30 truly mimic the endochondral bone differentiationthat occurs during the foetal development. Although endochondral bonedifferentiation has been the predominant route, there is also evidencefor intra-membraneous bone formation at the outer surface of theimplant.

FIGS. 31 and 32 describe the dose dependence of osteogenic activity for12-day implants comprising recombinant OP1 expressed from differentmammalian cell sources, as determined by specific activity of alkalinephosphatase and calcium content of allogenic implants (FIG. 31) andxenogenic implants of this invention (FIG. 32). In all cases, OP1protein concentration (quantitated by immuno blot staining or by gelscanning), is represented in nanograms. In each case, bone inducingactivity is specific to OP1 in a dose dependent manner in all cells.Moreover, osteogenic activity of the mammalian cell-produced proteinmimics that of the natural-sourced material. Highly purified gel-elutedosteogenic bovine protein, purified as disclosed herein and in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,968,590 and 5,011,691, has a half maximal activity of at leastabout 0.8-1 ng/mg matrix (20-25 ng protein/25 mg matrix). As can be seenin Table 9 and FIGS. 31 and 32, even partially purified recombinantlyproduced OP1 falls within this range of osteogenic activity (about 20-30ng/25 mg matrix).

B. Feline Model

The purpose of this study is to establish a large animal efficacy modelfor the testing of the osteogenic devices of the invention, and tocharacterize repair of massive bone defects and simulated fracturenon-union encountered frequently in the practice of orthopedic surgery.The study is designed to evaluate whether implants of osteogenic proteinwith a carrier can enhance the regeneration of bone following injury andmajor reconstructive surgery by use of this large mammal model. Thefirst step in this study design consists of the surgical preparation ofa femoral osteotomy defect which, without further intervention, wouldconsistently progress to non-union of the simulated fracture defect. Theeffects of implants of osteogenic devices into the created bone defectsare evaluated by the study protocol described below. While this and therabbit study, described infra, use allogenic matrices as carriermaterial, appropriate treatment as described herein of any bone-derivedmatrix material is anticipated to render the matrix suitable forxenogenic implants. Similarly, while the osteogenic protein used in thisand the rabbit study is bOP, it is anticipated that any of theosteogenic proteins disclosed herein may be substituted.

1. Procedure

Sixteen adult cats each weighing less than 10 lbs. undergo unilateralpreparation of a 1 cm bone defect in the right femur through a lateralsurgical approach. In other experiments, a 2 cm bone defect was created.The femur is immediately internally fixed by lateral placement of an8-hole plate to preserve the exact dimensions of the defect. There arethree different types of materials implanted in the surgically createdcat femoral defects: group I (n=3) is a control group which undergoesthe same plate fixation with implants of 4 M guanidine-HCl-treated(inactivated) cat demineralized bone matrix powder (GuHCl-DBM) (360 mg);group II (n=3) is a positive control group implanted with biologicallyactive demineralized bone matrix powder (DBM) (360 mg); and group III(n=10) undergoes a procedure identical to groups I-II, with the additionof osteogenic protein onto each of the GuHCl-DBM carrier samples. Tosummarize, the group III osteogenic protein-treated animals areimplanted with exactly the same material as the group I animals, butwith the singular addition of osteogenic protein.

All animals are allowed to ambulate ad libitum within their cagespost-operatively. All cats are injected with tetracycline (25 mg/kgsubcutaneously (SQ) each week for four weeks) for bone labelling. Allbut four group III animals are sacrificed four months after femoralosteotomy.

2. Radiomorphometrics

In vivo radiomorphometic studies are carried out immediately post-op at4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks by taking a standardized X-ray of the lightlyanesthesized animal positioned in a cushioned X-ray jig designed toconsistently produce a true anterio-posterior view of the femur and theosteotomy site. All X-rays are taken in exactly the same fashion and inexactly the same position on each animal. Bone repair is calculated as afunction of mineralization by means of random point analysis. A finalspecimen radiographic study of the excised bone is taken in two planesafter sacrifice. X-ray results are shown in FIG. 12, and displaced aspercent of bone defect repair. To summarize, at 16 weeks, 60% of thegroup III femurs are united with average 86% bone defect regeneration(FIG. 12, sec. A). By contrast, the group I GuHCl-DMB negative-controlimplants exhibit no bone growth at four weeks, less than 10% at eightand 12 weeks, and 16% (±10%) at 16 weeks with one of the five exhibitinga small amount of bridging bone (FIG. 12, sec. B). The group II DMBpositive-control implants exhibited 18% (±3%) repair at four weeks, 35%at eight weeks, 50% (±10%) at 12 weeks and 70% (±12%) by 16 weeks, astatistical difference of p<0.01 compared to osteogenic protein at everymonth. One of the three (33%) is united at 16 weeks (FIG. 12, sec. C.)

3. Biomechanics

Excised test and normal femurs are immediately studied by bonedensitometry, or wrapped in two layers of saline-soaked towels, placedinto sealed plastic bags, and stored at −20° C. until further study.Bone repair strength, load to failure, and work to failure are tested byloading to failure on a specially designed steel 4-point bending jigattached to an Instron testing machine to quantitate bone strength,stiffness, energy absorbed and deformation to failure. The study of testfemurs and normal femurs yield the bone strength (load) in pounds andwork to failure in joules. Normal femurs exhibit a strength of 96 (±12)pounds. Osteogenic protein-implanted femurs exhibit 35 (±4) pounds, butwhen corrected for surface area at the site of fracture (due to the“hourglass” shape of the bone defect repair) this correlated closelywith normal bone strength. Only one demineralized bone specimen wasavailable for testing with a strength of 25 pounds, but, again, thestrength correlated closely with normal bone when corrected for fracturesurface area.

4. Histomorphometry/Histology

Following biomechanical testing the bones are immediately sliced intotwo longitudinal sections at the defect site, weighed, and the volumemeasured. One-half is fixed for standard calcified bonehistomorphometrics with fluorescent stain incorporation evaluation, andone-half is fixed for decalcified hemotoxylin/eosin stain histologypreparation.

5. Biochemistry

Selected specimens from the bone repair site (n=6) are homogenized incold 0.15 M NaCl, 3 mM NaHCO₃, pH 9.0 by a Spex freezer mill. Thealkaline phosphatase activity of the supernatant and total calciumcontent of the acid soluble fraction of sediment are then determined.

6. Histopathology

The final autopsy reports reveal no unusual or pathologic findings notedat necropsy of any of the animals studied. A portion of all major organsare preserved for further study. A histophathological evaluation isperformed on samples of the following organs: heart, lung, liver, bothkidneys, spleen, both adrenals, lymph nodes, left and right quadricepsmuscles at mid-femur (adjacent to defect site in experimental femur). Nounusual or pathological lesions are seen in any of the tissues. Mildlesions seen in the quadriceps muscles are compatible with healingresponses to the surgical manipulation at the defect site. Pulmonaryedema is attributable to the euthanasia procedure. There is no evidenceof any general systemic effects or any effects on the specific organsexamined.

7. Feline Study Summary

The 1 cm and 2 cm femoral defect cat studies demonstrate that devicescomprising a matrix containing disposed osteogenic protein can: (1)repair a weight-bearing bone defect in a large animal; (2) consistentlyinduces bone formation shortly following (less than two weeks)implantation; and (3) induce bone by endochondral ossification, with astrength equal to normal bone, on a volume for volume basis.Furthermore, all animals remained healthy during the study and showed noevidence of clinical or histological laboratory reaction to theimplanted device. In this bone defect model, there was little or nohealing at control bone implant sites. The results provide evidence forthe successful use of osteogenic devices to repair large, non-union bonedefects.

C. Rabbit Model:

1. Procedure and Results

Eight mature (less than 10 lbs) New Zealand White rabbits withepiphyseal closure documented by X-ray were studied. The purpose of thisstudy is to establish a model in which there is minimal or no bonegrowth in the control animals, so that when bone induction is tested,only a strongly inductive substance will yield a positive result.Defects of 1.5 cm are created in the rabbits, with implantation of:osteogenic protein (n=5), DBM (n=8), GuHCl-DBM (n=6), and no implant(n=10). Six osteogenic protein implants are supplied and all controldefects have no implant placed.

Of the eight animals (one animal each was sacrificed at one and twoweeks), 11 ulnae defects are followed for the full course of the eightweek study. In all cases (n=7) following osteo-periosteal boneresection, the no implant animals establish no radiographic union byeight weeks. All no implant animals develop a thin “shell” of bonegrowing from surrounding bone present at four weeks and, to a slightlygreater degree, by eight weeks. In all cases (n=4), radiographic unionwith marked bone induction is established in the osteogenicprotein-implanted animals by eight weeks. As opposed to the no implantrepairs, this bone is in the site of the removed bone.

Radiomorphometric analysis reveal 90% osteogenic protein-implant bonerepair and 18% no-implant bone repair at sacrifice at eight weeks. Atautopsy, the osteogenic protein bone appears normal, while “no implant”bone sites have only a soft fibrous tissue with no evidence of cartilageor bone repair in the defect site.

2. Allograft Device

In another experiment, the marrow cavity of the 1.5 cm ulnar defect ispacked with activated osteogenic protein rabbit bone powder and thebones are allografted in an intercalary fashion. The two control ulnaeare not healed by eight weeks and reveal the classic “ivory” appearance.In distinct contrast, the osteogenic protein-treated implants“disappear” radiographically by four weeks with the start ofremineralization by six to eight weeks. These allografts heal at eachend with mild proliferative bone formation by eight weeks.

This type of device serves to accelerate allograph repair.

3. Summary

These studies of 1.5 cm osteo-periosteal defects in the ulnae of maturerabbits show that: (1) it is a suitable model for the study of bonegrowth; (2) “no implant” or GuHCl negative control implants yield asmall amount of periosteal-type bone, but not medullary or cortical bonegrowth; (3) osteogenic protein-implanted rabbits exhibited proliferativebone growth in a fashion highly different from the control groups; (4)initial studies show that the bones exhibit 50% of normal bone strength(100% of normal correlated vol:vol) at only eight weeks after creationof the surgical defect; and (5) osteogenic protein-allograft studiesreveal a marked effect upon both the allograft and bone healing.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1-133. (canceled)
 134. An osteogenic protein comprising a polypeptidechain capable of inducing endochondral bone formation in associationwith a matrix when implanted in a mammal, wherein the polypeptide chainis further characterized as having cysteine residues in the samerelative positions as the cysteine skeleton sequence: (SEQ ID NO:31)  1        10        20        30       40  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXCXXXCXXXXXXCXXXX         50        60         70      80XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXCCXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX          90    97    XXXXXXXXXXXXXCXCX,

or an allelic variant or mutant protein thereof that has an alteredconserved C-terminal cysteine skeleton, wherein the protein or theallelic variant or mutant protein is capable of forming a dimericspecies having a conformation capable of inducing bone formation in amammal, and wherein each X represents any amino acid.
 135. An osteogenicprotein comprising a polypeptide chain capable of inducing endochondralbone formation in association with a matrix when implanted in a mammal,wherein the polypeptide chain is further characterized as havingcysteine residues in the same relative positions as the cysteineskeleton sequence depicted in amino acid residues 335 to 431 of SEQ IDNO:1: 1     10        20       30        40   XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXCXXXCXXXXX             50        60        70   XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXCCXXXXXX         80       90       100   XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXCXCX,

or an allelic variant or mutant protein thereof that has an alteredconserved C-terminal cysteine skeleton, wherein the normal protein orallelic variant or mutant protein is capable of forming a dimericspecies having a conformation capable of inducing bone formation in amammal, and wherein each X represents any amino acid.
 136. An osteogenicprotein comprising a polypeptide chain capable of inducing endochondralbone formation in association with a matrix when implanted in a mammal,wherein the polypeptide chain comprises an amino acid sequence encodedby a nucleic acid that hybridizes selectively to a nucleic acid encodingamino acid residues 335 to 431 of SEQ ID NO: 1 in 40% formamide, 5×SSPE,5× Denhardt's Solution, and 0.1% SDS at 37° C. overnight, and washing in0.1×SSPE, 0.1% SDS at 50°, wherein the polypeptide chain is furthercharacterized as having a mutation that alters the conserved C-terminalcysteine skeleton, and further wherein the mutant polypeptide chain iscapable of forming a dimeric species having a conformation capable ofinducing endochondral bone formation in a mammal.
 137. The osteogenicprotein of claim 134, wherein the protein is dimeric.
 138. Theosteogenic protein of claim 134, wherein the polypeptide isglycosylated.
 139. The osteogenic protein of claim 134, wherein thepolypeptide is unglycosylated.
 140. An osteogenic device forimplantation in a mammal, the device comprising: a biocompatible, invivo biodegradable matrix defining pores of a dimension sufficient topermit influx, differentiation, and proliferation of migratoryprogenitor cells from the body of the mammal, and an osteogenic proteinof claim
 134. 141. The osteogenic device of claim 140, wherein thematrix comprises collagen and at least one material selected from thegroup consisting of polymers comprising lactic acid monomer units,polymers comprising glycolic acid monomer units, bone, hydroxyapatite,calcium phosphate, muscle, and tissue.
 142. A method of inducingendochondral bone formation in a mammal comprising the step ofimplanting the device of claim 140 in the mammal at a locus accessibleto migratory progenitor cells of the mammal.
 143. A method of inducinglocal cartilage formation in a mammal comprising the step of implantingthe device of claim 140 in the mammal at a locus accessible to migratoryprogenitor cells of the mammal.